Deseret News | BYU professor sits atop national rankings

Reader comments
BYU professor sits atop national rankings

136 comments | Read story

Page:
1
2
3
Next >

Ernie Hemple | 1:20 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Randy was my neighbor for years, then I became his home teacher. A pure spirit who I grew to love. He lives his religion. He is deserving of this honor. Great family, great man and a true Christian.

RR | 4:01 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

He really is that good. I sat in on his class a few times and he knows the gospel better than anyone. If there is ever an empty seat I'd be surprised. Glad to see a BYU professor is #1!!! Let's try to see people knock BYU's education now.

Chris J. | 4:13 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Brother (err. President) Bott was my mission president when I first arrived on my mission to Fresno. But he finished his mission when I was 3 weeks out, so I never got to know him very well. But I was impressed with him none-the-less.
Another person who taught fantastic mission prep classes 15 years ago was Ed J. Pinegar, (Over at the old UVSC). I loved him so much! I still remember his wonderful inspirational lesson's in class.

Comments continue below

Wondering | 5:45 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I would very much like to take a course from this obviously wonderful professor. It appears that he is a fantastic man and teacher. Having said that, I'm wondering how this course can count for credit towards a degree for anything other than a religion major.

BYU grad | 5:48 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I never took a course from him, unfortunately--I couldn't get in, but I have read one of his books that was a very useful resource on my mission. I'm grateful for what he does.

Greg | 5:57 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Good for Brother Bott! I had the privilege of being one of his seminary students at Sky View High School when he taught there in the early 1980s. He made a major impression on my life and I understand the gospel of Christ better because of his influence. Thank you Brother Bott.

Back to the Future | 6:00 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Sounds like grade inflation: Our religion professors get very high scores. If you're not excellent, you're not average. <<<=== [What a nonsensical statement].

Short, stout and 63... a low-lying crown of white hair circled his head topped by a wisp of white on top. [just like Santa Claus]

Getting an "A" from Bott is easy, according to the ratings on RateMyProfessors.com [Of course, this has no influence on his ratings, no.]

Bott is like a cool older uncle or grandfather who makes you laugh, makes you feel good about yourself..[This is actually the highest praise in the article. But kind of sad that students have to pay tuition for a foster uncle.]

He's having a good influence, obviously, but it sounds more like a squishy support group than an academic enterprise.

Janet - Richmond, VA | 6:54 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Brother Bott sounds like an incredible teacher! I had Brother Pace when I went to BYU back in the 60's-70's, and he was a great religion teacher too! Most BYU teacher's, if teaching by the Spirit, leave students with lasting impressions which help guide there lives forever! To me, that is the BYU Blessing!

Re: Back to the Future | 6:58 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

How pathetic does your life have to be that you are willing to take the time to lambaste the work of a good person?

Perhaps if you had been part of "an academic enterprise" of any real worth you would spend your time reading the classics and not breaking down that which you could never understand.

To Back to the Future | 7:06 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

You missed the point. Also you demonstrate that you do not have too analytical of a mind if you are unable to understand the first comment you poke fun at. All I can ask myself is "who are you?" If you don't understand the gist or bent of an article please don't comment on it.

George | 7:07 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Dear Back to the Future:
Are you still eating those dill pickles for breakfast?

Congrats Bro. Bott | 7:10 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Brother Bott really is awesome! I took 2 classes from him at BYU, and learned so many things, that I actually use in my every day like, unlike most of what I learned in college!

Ernest T. Bass | 7:11 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Blessings, even rich blessings are in store.

Anonymous | 7:16 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Brother Bott is the best. He made class interesting, fun, and useful. I feel like his mission prep class really did help me substantially on my mission. Congrats Br. Bott.

Timj | 7:23 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

His class was certainly the easiest one I ever took at BYU. Easy easy A. Easier than getting an A in an education course.
Religion courses at BYU are pretty much part of the GE courses. Most of them are actually fairly rigorous (Botts classes being the exception).
He is a good teacher. But he's certainly not the best at BYU. The best teachers demand more from their students.
My nomination for best professor at BYU would be Professor Wood in the chemistry department. A great guy, an amazing teacher, a fairly tough class. Of course, he doesn't give out a gazillion A's, so he'll never get as high of rankings as Bott does.

anon | 7:27 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

to Wondering | 5:45 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

It doesn't count toward any major. At BYU, everuy undergraduate is required to take a religion class every semester until graduation or the # of required hours is reached.

TO: TimJ | 8:08 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Though I didn't take classes from Bro. Bott nor did I go to BYU (USU grad), I did go to college and had hard classes and easy classes. I wouldn't base my best professors on whether they gave me an 'A' or not, nor would I rate them whether they were tough or not. My take is that Bro. Bott is being rated highly because of the influence he had on so many people. We should all be that lucky.

I love to see that it's a religion class that everyone loves to go to. Many believe, as do I, that the most important things in life have God as their center. You may feel that a chemistry class and/or professor deserves a greater mark, but the fact that it's an open book, open note religion professor who promotes the most important aspects of life gives me hope. The ideas and principles taught may not get you the house, car, etc., but by living these principles will lead to a far greater happiness.

The true 'test' will be how they live their life after leaving BYU...Hopefully they all get A's.

Joshuall | 8:14 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

BTF . . . = knucklehead. How's that for a point ?

Brother Bott is awesome | 8:15 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

He teaches Doctrine and Covenants, too. His class is easy, but I learned so much in both classes. He maybe wasn't my all-time favorite teacher at BYU, but I think that students just can't miss his enthusiasm. You can tell that he loves the subject, teaching, and his students.

Cats | 8:27 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

As someone who attended both Utah and BYU (I received two degrees from BYU) I can tell you that BYU is truly the EDUCATION OF THE WHOLE MAN. The academics are superior, but the spiritual side is just as important. Most universities neglect or even denegrate the spirituality of life. At BYU all aspects of life are celebrated.

I feel very blessed to have been able to attend my religion classes at BYU and I am a true blue COUGAR.

Timj | 8:29 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I'm not saying he's not a great teacher.
But an easy teacher that teaches a subject students are already interested in will have a much easier time getting high marks than a teacher who grades hard and teaches a difficult subject.
I taught high school for a couple of years, and there were times I was much too easy on the kids--and I was popular for that very reason. The teacher next door was a better teacher, with more experience, and harder on the kids--and he wasn't as popular. I changed my ways, but fact is: easier teachers will be more popular, even if they don't deserve that popularity.
Again, Bott's a fine teacher. But the best teachers require more from their students.

Kevin | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

He was my grandfather's favorite professor at BYU.

Fickle Popularity | 8:56 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Popularity is a fickle thing. I'm sure Brother Bott is well-grounded enough to know that. Here's hoping he doesn't write a book that an apostle will have to quote in a devotional address and call it "plain sectarian nonsense," as Elder McConkie had to do many years ago.

Re: Timj | 8:59 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I have to disagree with you. I am a teacher now, and I see many very difficult teachers in this school who are the most popular in the school. I remember my high school days and the teachers that I remember most were the ones who touched my life,helped me to learn, and taught a subject I was interested in. My BYU days it was the same way, the best professors were the ones that taught a subject I enjoyed and ones that I learned from. Some of my toughest teachers were my favorites, and some of the easier ones were also favorites. I took Randy Bott and the class is easy, but I learned more from that class than almost any other, because he had a passion for teaching, and I enjoyed the material he taught. I still use the things I learned in his class to this day and will continue to the remainder of my life.

re: RR | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

"He really is that good. I sat in on his class a few times and he knows the gospel better than anyone. If there is ever an empty seat I'd be surprised. Glad to see a BYU professor is #1!!! Let's try to see people knock BYU's education now."

RR must be a BYU grad. Did you read, RR, how the "best teacher" was arrived at? What does that have to do with BYU's education? The kids like him? Wow.

Former CA Fresno Missionary | 9:23 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Randy Bott is an even better person and priesthood leader. His testimony, along with his keen sense of humor, have inspired thousands to become better men and women (Bott's teachings in the mission field included the fact that you would need a sense of humor to attain the Celestial Kingdom and to survive missionary life). Congratulations!

Hmmmm. | 9:28 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I'm afraid I'm not overly impressed. Being top-ranked as a teacher means a lot when it's difficult concepts like math or statistics but when it's feel good topics like religion people are bound to enjoy the class more just by virtue of the topic. I think even Brother Bott would concede that.

Brother Bott and company | 9:32 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Now the BIG SECRET for how the rest of you out there can go to a class taught by the wonderful Brother Bott-----He almost always teaches classes at BYU Education Week, held every August. This week is the BEST KEPT SECRET of the Church. The BEST week of vacation you'll ever spend! Mary Ellen Edmunds, John Bytheway, S. Michael Wilcox, Susan Easton Black, Doug Brinley, Paul Warner, Randle Wright, Kathy Headlee, Robert Millet, and oh so many more. Plus an Apostle--ahhhhhh, how am I going to wait til next August???!!!!

My Favorite | 9:37 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

He was my favorite teacher, and that was 10 years ago.

EarlyMorning | 9:44 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

There are many wonderful, gifted teachers in the CES. My father taught for seventeen years in this system. The best teacher is the one who teaches by the spirit and helps us to learn by the Spirit. How do we really grade teachers? and why is so important that we bring attention and "Praise the Man". Is praise and recognition so important in the Gospel Plan? No. We have had many wonderful teachers in our lives, from Primary teachers to Home teachers. Lets all be of "One Heart and One Mind"? Brother Bott doesn't care about the recognition of being one of the best teachers, so why is so important to others/students to Praise the Man? Is this the attitude and general state of our members?

Anonymous | 9:48 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Taking a class and getting an education are 2 different things if you're the student. Lecturing to students and teaching them are 2 different things if you're the professor. Brother Bott clearly teaches and the students are clearly learning and receiving an educaitn in something which pertains to their lives. I wasn't fortunate enough to take a class from him by my son did and he was well prepared for the realities of mission life.

As a footnote, I agree with Bro. Bott, Sister Black is an amazing teacher--I was lucky enough to be in her classes when I was at BYU.

Kudos to BTTF | 9:55 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Back to the Future is right on. The purpose of higher education is NOT entertainment! I took Bott's class years ago, and he strives for a particular brand of entertainment: the LDS brand that is filled with all the speculation, warm fuzzy myths and nonsense you can pack into a 50 minute class period! There is absolutely NO rigor to the grading - you would actually have to WORK VERY HARD to get anything lower than an A. And how competitive is a missionary prep class anyway? Try the Accounting classes and Business Management classes at the Marriott School and see how a REAL rigorous educational experience is supposed to be!

This is such a joke it is not even funny!

BYU '01 alum | 10:04 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I had Brother Bott and loved taking his class; I recommended it to others. He is one of many fantastic faculty I experienced across several disciplines at BYU, and I think there may be a grain of truth in Timj's argument that he gets a few extra votes here and there because people appreciate the ease of his class as well as his abilities as a teacher (which, as I said, really are great!).

By the way, I also had Dr. Wood and thought he was one of the best professors I've ever had--truly a gifted teacher as well.

Although I appreciated and enjoyed the variety of teaching methods I experienced at BYU, I personally learned more from teachers who challenged me and made me earn my grades. But different students respond to different teaching styles; what's good for one student's learning may not be ideal for another's.

Susan Black.... | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

"As a footnote, I agree with Bro. Bott, Sister Black is an amazing teacher--I was lucky enough to be in her classes when I was at BYU."

I'm glad to hear more than one person, including Bott, say Sister Black is a good teacher. I know of her writings and researching, but I listened to a talk of hers on BYU tv and while interested in the topic I was bored out of my head because of the monotone, emotionless presentation. Must have been an off-day for her.

regardless | 10:51 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Regardless of whether he really is or isn't, this was fun to read, and I'm sure he it is easy to get an A from someone you enjoy listening to and interacting with. I always did worse in the classes the teacher was either boring or just down right unpleasant in, and better in the classes with excited and animated professors, regardless of the subject and how smart or stupid I personally was in them. It's called engaging or not so much.

re: Kudos | 11:01 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I'm sure Bro. Bott would agree that entertainment is not the purpose of higher education. Having attended two semesters of his classes, I can attest that entertainment is not the purpose of his classes, either. Sure, he has a sense of humor, but that's not what he (nor his students) are there for. Sad that you have nothing better to do than bash people who are legitimately trying to do good things.

As for grades, "hard class" does not always equal "good class", and "easy" does not always equal "worthless." I've taken plenty of very hard courses (advanced math, physics, computer science -- I'm working on a PhD) that would surely rival the rigor of anything the MBA or Accounting programs can dish out. Yet I still find great value in what I learn in many other "easy" (but worthwhile) classes like Bro. Bott's. In fact, as a grad student I don't get credit or grades for attending his class. Grades aren't what I'm at school for anyway-- I proved I could get A's long before I ever came to BYU.

Gus | 11:01 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I took three classes from Brother Bott during my years at BYU. All of them were superb. His 10 page open-note open-book tests are not just an easy way to get an "A" grade. They have a purpose.

A great professor and a great man!

best religion professor? | 11:31 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I agree that Brother Bott is an amazing man, and I also think he's right that he isn't the best professor in the department, but he got the wrong one. Sister Black is great, but Alex Baugh is the absolute best, and is the best-kept secret at BYU.

Boise Coug | 11:39 a.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I'm not disagreeing that these type of religion courses provide a great deal of worth to students. But it also tough to argue that they provide any kind of academic rigor. They are honestly fluff courses that nonetheless provide a great deal of life-long worth.

So it's an easy A, so what? | 12:02 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I too had 2 semesters of Doc&Cov from Bro. Bott, about 10 years ago. Sure it was an easy class. But you know what? 10 years later I still remember his teachings on receiving revelation, personalized temptations, chastening and correction, preparation, dealing with weakness, respect for other beliefs, and of course missionary work.

Perhaps the subject lends itself a little better to memorable lessons more than your typical organic-chemistry (or fill-in-your-least-favorite-subject) class, but that to me is the mark of a good teacher. Which do you value more, that hard-earned B+, or the effect in your life from what you've learned?

Timj | 12:21 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

A subject that lends itself to memorable lessons is the mark of a good teacher?
Am I missing something here? The subject one teaches is the mark of a good teacher? I don't think so.
I took other religion classes at BYU that required a lot of deep thought and hard work. Those classes were deeper, more meaningful, and more difficult than Bott's class.
I took Bott's D&C class one semester when I had a tough schedule and I needed a super easy religion class so I could focus on the other classes.
I'd taken his Missionary Prep class and knew he was an easy teacher.
With all the quality, yet demanding, religion professors at BYU, I took the quality easy one. I'm still a little bit ashamed of that decision.
I'm glad so many seem to get so much from his class. I'm doubtful, however, if students should really be receiving credits for so little work. And I think we should be careful before we equate the most popular professor with the best professor--I think those are very different things.

BYU Student | 12:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I haven't actually taken any classes from Brother Bott but I would like to argue that not all classes need to be difficult to be fulfilling. Although I would say that my favorite classes are ones that stretch me academically, a schedule full of those classes would take all fun away from the challenge. A bit of balance is good. I try and format my schedule with some more rigorous classes and some classes that are more "fluffy" so that I can do well in all of them. That said - I think it's great that Brother Bott is doing so well, and unfortunate that so many people would be quick to judge his success as cheap because of the nature of the class. All topics of study have worth, no matter their stigma for difficulty or ease.

Student | 12:43 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

If he wasn't as great as this article said, would he be the top ranked teacher? Obviously his students like him.

?? | 1:06 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Can teaching Missionary Prep really be considered a university course? Do these students actually get credit for that? HA!

BYUsenior | 1:08 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

My only regret is that I waited until my senior year to take a class from Randy Bott. He is an incredible human being. Words can't do him justice, but spend five minutes with the man and you will feel the greatness that radiates from his very countenance.

MegW | 1:12 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Brother Bott is a great teacher not only because his lessons are memorable but because they are life changing. The things he teaches and in the ways he teaches them change the very nature of many of his students. This is because at the center of his teachings is an immense testimony of and love for the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have had Brother Bott for D&C and never has any study of the scripture been more real and applicable to my life than it has after having been taught by Randy Bott.

Randy | 1:16 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

Susan Easton Black is arguably the WORST professor at BYU, not the best. Her class was by far one of the most dry and tortuous experiences of my life. And I will never get over how much she can't get over herself. If I heard one more time how many words she personally wrote and published about Joseph Smith...

fauna | 1:31 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I wish that more teachers would catch on to the fact that memorizing for a test is not learning. Life is open book and is way challenging. If a professor is really interested in a student learning he will accomodate that learning by not stressing the student out so much that it deletes his memory of the class material within a short time of cramming for the final. Yay for Brother Bott for allowing and promoting his students to succeed in the class and after!!

Joel Wright | 1:37 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I really enjoyed my class at BYU from Susan Easton Black. She loves her material (Church History) and her enthusiasm is very contagious. I never worked harder in a religion class at BYU, and yet I still didn't earn a top grade. She is superb. Take a class from her if you can.

Hydee | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 11, 2008

I had the opportunity to take one class from Brother Bott and sit in on another. He has amazing insights and students are dumbfounded by his subject knowledge. It is no wonder to me that this professor is top-ranked. Congratulations to Brother Bott and Brigham Young University for this great honor.

Page:
1
2
3
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.