Campus mourns professor
University of Indianapolis Assistant English Professor Udo Natterman passed away on June 15 in his hometown of Bloomington, Ind. Nattermann was 53 years old and had been teaching for 20 years.
Nattermann first came to the United States in 1986 as an exchange student and later emigrated from Germany. He received his master’s degree in American literature and philosophy at the Free University of Berlin. He did his exchange program at Indiana University and received his Ph.D. in American literature there.
Department Chair and Professor of English William Dynes was informed of Nattermann’s death in an email from Nattermann’s wife. Dynes described Nattermann as very fun and collegial.
“It’s interesting because he could seem rather—austere, [I think] is the best word. And because he was from Germany… initially some students were worried that he was a very strict and demanding instructor. And he could give that impression,” Dynes said. “But he loved to have fun in class. When I sat in and observed his classes, [he was] not funny or silly in any sense like I tend to be, but always warm, always [with] a clear sense of humor in class.”
Dynes said that he witnessed how Nattermann’s passion for teaching greatly impacted students after they had a chance to get to know him.
“One thing that a lot of students commented on after he passed away was just how passionate he was about teaching. How clearly he wanted his students to do well,” Dynes said.
Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Science and Director of the Woodrow Wilson Program Jennifer Drake worked with Nattermann in the English department.
“He was a very learned man. He was a generalist in the best sense of the word, in that he knew a lot about literature and had a remarkable ability to talk with all of us about our areas of specialization,” Drake said.
Both Dynes and Drake said that Nattermann was always willing to help the department in any way he could.
“Dr. Nattermann was always willing to step in and cover what needed to be covered,” Drake said. “His ability and knowledge base in literature enabled that. But also his willingness to serve the department and serve students was remarkable.”
Nattermann was known for his careful grading and ability to get students to interact. According to sophomore German and psychology major Kyle Mishler, Natterman would start his English 102 class by asking a question and allow the students to steer the discussion.
“I enjoyed his teaching style… He would give us a question to spark discussion and one question over 10 students could respond to in different ways,” Mishler said.
Mishler said that he enjoyed visiting Nattermann’s office for help because of their mutual affinity for German culture.
“We [Nattermann and I] sometimes would have full on conversations in just German. I think that’s what he liked about me as a person,” Mishler said. “I had a really good understanding of just who he was as a person because he lived in Germany for most of his life, and I have a pretty good understanding of German culture.”
Mishler said that he only had one class with Nattermann but enjoyed their conversations.
“I really enjoyed his teaching style, and he’s probably one of the professors I really liked at this university even though I only had him for one semester,” Mishler said.
Administrative assistant in the President’s Office and English faculty member Laura Irmer first had a class with Nattermann when she was an undergraduate social work major. Irmer said that Nattermann helped her start on the path towards her English major.
“I completely credit Dr. Nattermann for inspiring me to later receive my master’s in English,” Irmer said.
She said Nattermann’s teaching style helped her decide to take a new major.
“He made looking at literature and poetry so interesting—such a bigger picture than what I ever knew it to be,” Irmer said. “I loved literature prior to having him, but the way he was able to show us how to analyze it and break it down and interpret it was so fascinating and interesting.”
Irmer has continued to be inspired by Nattermann even after her graduation.
“I have this beautiful opportunity of teaching this course that I had him for originally, the [English] 102 class,” Irmer said. “And every semester that I go to construct my syllabus and decide what it is I’m going to teach my students…. He’s always been an influence as to how that plays out for me, based on the stories that I read and the way he taught [when I was in his class].”
Irmer said that Nattermann’s careful instruction helped her thrive as a student.
“I just remember feeling so accomplished as a writer, in addition to feeling accomplished as a student who was working under him,” Irmer said.
Dynes said that Nattermann’s presence is greatly missed in the department.
“He was always willing to talk to other folks about their disciplines, about the kinds of books he was reading and teaching,” Dynes said.
Nattermann’s effect on the university is still felt in the way he helped students grow and succeed, according to Dynes.
“His interactions with students I think really helped them see their own potential,” Dynes said. “[It] really helped them see where they could grow and how they can grow as students.”
