Students Secretly Collected Their Professor’s Best Life Advice. The Quotes Have Gone Viral
Today
Last updated: May 12, 2026
In 2016, students at Manhattanville University started transcribing their professor Joseph Fasano's classroom remarks. These weren't just lecture notes, but rather his offhand observations and personal insights. The initiative evolved into a collaborative project, leading to the creation of a book of his aphorisms, titled "What I Learned in the Classroom." This collection aims to capture the essence of his teaching philosophy and the wisdom he imparted to his students.
- Fasano, an instructor in freshman college composition, engaged his students in a unique way by encouraging them to record his casual yet insightful comments. This practice went beyond traditional note-taking, focusing on the incidental wisdom shared during class discussions and lectures. The collected sayings were then compiled and published as a book, offering a distilled version of Fasano's pedagogical approach. The book serves as a testament to the impact of his teachings and the value students found in his everyday pronouncements. It highlights a less conventional method of knowledge dissemination and student engagement in an academic setting.
