English professor Tom Wolfe. Computer programming professor Bill Gates. Business professor Russell Simmons. Music professor Sting? Coach Snoop Dogg?

College students across the country are receiving surprises when celebrities step in to teach classes through mtvU’s reality show “Stand In.” Professors shared which celebrities they think would stand in for them if the show came to NIU.

“I think James Woods studied mathematics in college,” math professor Joseph Stephen said. “I’d really like to meet him, he seems like a really interesting guy. I like Kevin Spacey a lot, too, but I don’t think he could teach a math class.”

Mace Bentley, assistant professor of geography, also went with a movie star as his ideal stand-in.

“I’d go with Edward Norton because of his environmental and philosophical background,” Bentley said. “His father [Edward Norton Sr.] is actually an environmental lawyer.”

Phillip Timberlake, professor of voice and speech, would like to see someone in his own field teach his class.

“I’d love to have Alan Rickman come and teach my class,” Timberlake said. “I teach in the School of Theatre [and Dance] and I think he’s a wonderful actor.”

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is a popular choice. Humanities teachers in particular feel Winfrey would best be suited to fill their spots for a day.

“I’m thinking that Oprah may be a good stand-in for my management class, because she would probably be able to share a lot of insight with my students on managing a career, entrepreneurship, communication and leadership,” said assistant management professor Stephanie Henagan.

“Her experiences as a studio owner, magazine editorial director, film producer and philanthropist, to name a few, would be so beneficial for bringing the real world into my classroom.”

English professor Deborah DeRosa agrees.

“I would like to see Oprah step in,” DeRosa said. “I think she’d be a fascinating and interesting person. Oprah or Julia Roberts.”