“Early in my years as an academic advisor, I began to see a pattern among bright, first-year students who took a class with Scott Stanfield,” recalled Patty Hawk.
“They would wander into my office after a couple weeks of class and ask if they should drop their English class. I would suggest that they stick it out for one more week,” continued Hawk, associate professor of communication. “Not only did those students stay in their English class, many returned to my office to ask how they could declare an English major. Scott changes lives!”
The sentiment was shared collectively by Stanfield’s colleagues who nominated him for this year’s Exemplary Teacher Award.
The award is given to an NWU professor each year who exemplifies excellence in teaching, civility and concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value-centered education, and service to students, the institution, community or church. The award is sponsored by the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church and the Office of the President at Nebraska Wesleyan.
During his 30 years at NWU, Stanfield has taught nearly every English course, an Archway Seminar on “Hamlet,” has published several articles and wrote the book, “Yeats and Politics in the 1930s.” He has served as faculty president, chair of the humanities division, served on search committees and as department chair, and is considered the beating heart of the faculty/staff band, Release Time.
“He is an exceptional teacher, a fine scholar, a sensitive advisor, a generous and gracious member of our academic community and a trusted and highly esteemed colleague,” said Jim Schaffer, senior professor of journalism.
Students call him a challenging but fair professor with a great sense of humor.
“He meets students where they are,” added Hawk. “And helps them find their voice.”