The Trojan Express

For fifty-eight years Dr. Max Pickerill has started his day in a chemistry classroom.  “Pick,” as he is affectionately known by colleagues and students, began his 100th semester of teaching in January at Colby Community College.

 “When people ask me what I teach, I tell them students,” said Pickerill.  “I know they expect me to say chemistry, but the students are what it’s all about.  One year students in my class knew I was going to the Ramada to eat Christmas dinner.  They combined all their pocket change...about $13 and gave it to me to pay for dinner.  How can you leave students like that?”

            Thousands of students have benefited from Pickerill’s love of teaching.  Many area doctors, chiropractors, pharmacists, optometrists, nurses and physician assistants began their collegiate career in Pickerill’s chemistry lab.

            “Dr. Pickerill is the most knowledgeable and best teacher I ever had,” said Colby chiropractor Dr. Shane Franz.  “He has a way of presenting the material that makes his students learn.  I took Organic Chemistry I from him, then was out of school for eight years.  I returned and took Organic II.  Even though I had not been a student for many years, Max was able to make learning easy.  I also took Physics and worried about it because I had not taken a lot of math.  Again, Max was able to get me through.  He knows when his students haven’t learned something.  He’d tell me to come in after class.  I’d meet with him for 15 minutes and know it when I left for the day.”

      (Read full article -- Pickerill honored for 100 semesters teaching)