Her office is adorned with pictures, posters, comics, and presents from her students. She proudly points out some of the gifts with Biblical themes-a doll of Sarah, a book about Noah’s ark, and an apple that boldly proclaims, “Eve was framed.”

Professor Sondra Frisch, who has been part of Mesa since 1989, is retiring this year. She will continue in a part time capacity to teach Humanities 104, Introduction to the Old Testament.

“I love teaching at this place,” said Frisch. “It’s not a job; it’s another life.”

Frisch is known in academic circles for her unique position on Eve. According to Frisch, a close reading of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, yields a very different picture of Eve than the popular interpretation of the world’s first woman as the sinful seductress, and in fact reveals Eve to be intelligently curious and yearning for wisdom. Frisch enjoys teaching her students about Eve in her classes every semester.

“Professor Sondra Frisch is one of the most brilliant and dedicated educators I have ever known,” said District Chancellor Dr. Constance Carroll. “I was privileged to work with her in a number of ways.so I can attest that she is intellectually gifted, is truly devoted to her students, and has been one of the great developers of Mesa College.”

In addition to teaching Bible classes, Frisch has also taught classes on composition, literature, the humanities, and English as a Second Language. She especially enjoys making a different in the lives of students who are non-native English speakers, and has even had students name their daughters after her.

“You don’t just teach a language,” said Frisch, “you teach a culture.They’re not just learning a subject; they are learning how to succeed. Some of my ESOL students have gone on to become doctors.”

Not only is she loved by her students, but Frisch is also known among Mesa faculty for being especially warm-hearted.

When Journalism professor Janna Braun, who is also the Mesa Press advisor, first started teaching at Mesa, her initial concerns about starting her teaching career were assuaged by Frisch’s welcome party for the new Mesa faculty, held at Frisch’s house.

“It was really instrumental to getting to know the people in my department,” said Braun. “And it is demonstrative of what kind of person Sondra is.”

In addition to teaching, Frisch also served as Mesa’s site compliance officer for over 15 years, handling education and legislation regarding discrimination and sexual harassment issues. She feels that it has been one of the most rewarding duties she has ever had to perform.

“It is very satisfying to see changes in the atmosphere of the college,” said Frisch.

Frisch is Mesa’s charter advisor (the founder) for the International Honor Society Phi Theta Kappa Beta. She was also the district honors coordinator.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Frisch spent her childhood preparing for an education and career in the sciences. She attended a prestigious science-oriented high school and entered the Queens College City University of New York with the intention of majoring in biochemistry.

However, she switched to the English major about halfway through college, and subsequently earned her M.A. in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.

“I always loved to read,” said Frisch. “And I was amazed that there was a job where you could love what you do.”

Regarding her family, Frisch speaks proudly and lovingly of her husband Joe and her two sons, Steve and Kevin. Steve, who has taught math at the community college level, lives in Alaska and enjoys ice climbing. Kevin, an MIT graduate, is the marketing director at Hewlett Packard in San Francisco and just got married earlier this year.

Frisch and her family greatly enjoy traveling. In 1975, Frisch and her husband moved their family to Jerusalem. During the seven years her family resided in Israel, Frisch taught English while learning how to read and speak Hebrew, a skill that aids her in her teaching of the Old Testament.

In her spare time, Frisch plans to write, hike, and travel “to see wild natural things.” However, she maintains that the most “stimulating and rewarding” activity is teaching.

“I can’t imagine a life without students,” said Frisch.