Retiring professor is no laughing matter, students say

by Jennifer Hinkle
THE POST

Ohio University professor Mel Helitzer ended his 15-year teaching career Thursday, with a dose of humor and hugs from members of his last class.

The thirteen students in his Humor Writing course performed short stand-up comedy routines at the Front Room to earn their grade, while Helitzer watched quietly from his front-row seat. Helitzer, a professor since 1985, is retiring at the end of the quarter.

The comedy show, traditionally used by the professor to give final grades, was his favorite part of teaching Humor Writing, Helitzer said.

"It's when they show me that they've learned something," he said.

Judging from the audience's loud applause and frequent cheers, Helitzer's students did learn something - the art of comedy. Their routines ranged from impersonations and self-mocking sarcasm to poetry targeted toward landlords.

OU junior Josh Miely, whose comedy sketch involved three guys at a strip club, described the evening as "very exciting." Miely used his previous experience in live comedy to make him more comfortable in the Front Room performance.

More than the class, Miely said he would miss Helitzer.

"He was a pretty laid-back guy. He presented himself intelligently and was very knowledgeable on the subject."

Helitzer, the first person in the country to teach Humor Writing, said he hopes his students learned "the power of humor and that they can use it in many other fields."

At the end of the evening, Helitzer introduced each student individually and gave a short speech peppered with jokes.

Besides teaching just the course, Helitzer said he tries to talk to his students about things like drugs and other issues facing young adults.

"I was young once," he said. "I tried coke, but my nose was too small for the bottle."

Miely said he thinks Helitzer's course will be difficult to replace.

"I think he was pretty much a nostalgic throwback to the old school comedy," Miely said. "He's the type of person that both students and faculty alike will miss. He was a well-liked person."