Volleyball player Catie Cronister and Dr. Brian Pigott

About Catie Cronister: 

• senior
• 5-10 outside hitter
• Native of Chicago, Illinois 

About Dr. Pigott: 

• Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics
• Owns a B.Sc. from the University of Calgary, an M.Sc. from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto
• Has been teaching for roughly 10 years (University of Toronto, Wake Forest and Wofford) and has been at Wofford since 2014. 

Catie Cronister and Dr. Brian Pigott at a Wofford volleyball game

         Q&A with Catie Cronister:

• What did you like most about Dr. Pigott's class? Dr. Pigott’s classes are always my favorite and always my hardest class. There was never a day that I walked into one of his classes and he didn’t greet me with a joke. He makes challenging material intriguing and honestly, fun.
•  What makes Dr. Pigott a good teacher? Dr. Piogtt is geuinly interested in the material he teaches and it shows in his class. He makes it fun and exciting which is impressive considering the difficult material he teaches.
• What is something you’re involved in outside of class and sports that we may not know? I’m a member of the math club and have helped plan our Pi Day celebration!
• How do you manage academics, athletics and a social life? What is your key to good time management? My secret in managing my time is that I make sure that I use every little moment in a specific manner. If I’m studying, then I’m studying, if I’m with friends, then I enjoy myself. This allows me to be productive in whatever I’m doing.
• What is your favorite spot on campus? The math suite or the gym. 
• What is the most important skill you've learned through participation in your sport? How to work through adversity and not let it affect other areas of my life.
• Do you have any nicknames? Or if you could choose your own, what would it be and why? I don’t know! I guess Catie is already a nickname but some parents on our team call me boom boom because I hit the ball as hard as I can and I like that!
• What are your plans post grad? I am also looking into playing beach volleyball while I attend a masters program.
  
  Q&A with Dr. Pigott:
   
• What was it like having Catie in your class? Catie is a joy to have in class. She’s always so upbeat and positive. It’s a real treat to have somebody who’s so excited to be learning in a class. Her excitement and positivity rub off on the other students, making the class a special place to be.
• What is your favorite sport or hobby? What do you like to do in your free time? Most of my free time is spent with my family; my wife and two young children. I really enjoy cooking. In terms of sports, I grew up in Canada and have a special love of hockey. I also really like golf.
• How often are you able to watch your student-athletes compete? I went to see the volleyball team twice and I’ve really enjoyed it. Last time my family came with me and we all had a great time watching and cheering on the team.
• What’s your favorite spot on campus? I like to sit and work in Great Oaks hall during the summer, partly because the windows are so nice and big; during the school year I like to sit out by the water fountain near the entrance to the college.
• What is your favorite thing about teaching? My favorite part about teaching is the students. I enjoy getting a chance to know my students during the semester, and I like sharing my love of mathematics with them. Most of all I enjoy being there with them at their moments of discovery.
• What would students be surprised to find out about you? I don't own a television. 
• What is one class your schools offers that you wish you could take? I think Physical Chemistry sounds like a fantastic course. The other course that I’d be interested in taking is the Survey of World Literature.

About Classroom Connections: In its second year, Classroom Connections is a weekly feature that showcases student-athletes away from the playing field and highlights the relationship between student-athlete and professor.