With a collared shirt and pens in his front pocket, it is not hard to believe that Ohio State Senior Lecturer Paul Weinstock is in the business field.

It is his warm eyes, genuine personality and tremendous singing talent that show he is not all “business.”

Weinstock, a bass singer, along with other members of Koleinu, a Columbus community choir, have just cut their first CD.

Weinstock, who has been singing since “the cradle,” currently sings in two religious choirs. He enjoys creating his own songs, and is not afraid to show off his talent.

“Paul’s been known to break into song in the finance department mailroom,” colleague Bill Rives said, laughing. “He’s got a really great voice.”

For a man who proposed to his wife through song and almost became a professional musician, one might scratch his/her head and think, finance lecturer?

But it is true, and this quarter Weinstock is teaching OSU’s corporate finance and business law courses, where he proves that music and singing are not his only strengths.

In the 2005 spring quarter, recent OSU graduate Chris Sloey enrolled in Weinstock’s 772 real estate finance class.

“Not only did I learn a lot in Mr. Weinstock’s class, but he was one of the best teachers I ever had,” said Sloey, 22. “He treated us like senior students and he was extremely willing to help us at any time.”

Also a senior lecturer in finance, Rives confirmed this comment.

“Paul has always had a genuine concern for his students,” Rives said. “When he doesn’t think they’re doing well he’ll extend his office hours to provide help.”

A Columbus resident since 1985, Weinstock graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971 with a degree in business. He soon entered law school where he completed his law degree at Boston University three years later.

After practicing law for 10 years and teaching business law part-time, Weinstock put law behind him and moved to Columbus to work for a mortgage banker and later on, in the field of commercial real estate. Throughout this transition, Weinstock continued teaching.

In 1990, he went back to school once again, graduating a final time in 1994 with a master’s degree of arts in real estate from OSU.

Throughout his four years of schooling, Weinstock also worked as a teaching assistant, sometimes teaching multiple classes in a single quarter. By this time, he had learned that he possessed a real talent for teaching. As for business, it “just made sense” to him. He stuck with both.

Now a senior lecturer in finance, Weinstock has been with OSU ever since.

“The students and classes are better here than anywhere else,” Weinstock said. “And I feel I’ve done my best to keep this tradition up. I’m very proud to be associated with the Fisher College of Business.”

In all of his classes Weinstock uses a teaching style he calls “highly organized but casual.”

“I think of myself as an excellent communicator,” Weinstock said. “Understanding something and being able to impart that understanding are two very different things.”

Weinstock said respect is also key to his classes, and he makes certain that no one in his class is ever made to feel foolish.

Having experienced Weinstock’s teaching method, Sloey knows that this is true.

“People were never afraid to ask questions in our class,” Sloey said. “Mr. Weinstock made the class interesting. He knew the field well and he kept our attention.”

With a firm handshake and kind voice, Weinstock is as welcoming as any professor can be. One step into his office also reveals another part of his fun, personal side.

OSU and Boston Red Sox memorabilia hang on the walls, and the stacks of papers strewn around the room exhibit his casual, non-intimidating manner.

“I’m a big OSU hockey and football fan,” Weinstock said. “Some of my former students play and they kind have got me into it.”

Weinstock also enjoys nature, collecting board games and eggcups. Niagara Falls is a particular favorite and he visits the site at least twice a year, usually with his family, including his four daughters and wife Randi.

Whether it is singing or teaching, Paul Weinstock shows he is talented and well-rounded. To top it off, he is enthusiastic about doing it.

His favorite song to sing? What else– “What a Wonderful World.”

“If you’re looking for someone who enjoys his job,” Weinstock said, pointing proudly to himself, “That’s me.”