Associate Professor at The Ohio State University at Mansfield, Dr. Steven Joyce, was awarded the 2014 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching at a surprise ceremony at Ohio State Mansfield campus Monday afternoon.
What Joyce believed to be a meeting regarding the study abroad program, which he helps lead, was actually a surprise celebration, recognizing Joyce for this great achievement. Ohio State Vice Provost for Academic and Strategic Planning Michael Boehm, Ohio State Executive Dean and Vice Provost of the College of Arts and Sciences David Manderscheid, as well as Ohio State Mansfield Dean and Director Stephen Gavazzi, along with several students, faculty, and staff gathered together to show their support.
The Ohio State University Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching is awarded to faculty members belonging to any of the six OSU campuses, meaning that the pool of possible recipients numbered 3,000 faculty members. From that group, there were 250 nominations, of which only ten winners were selected, stated Boehm.
Joyce, professor of German and Comparative Studies, is one of two professors belonging to a regional campus who earned the award. Ben McCorkle, professor at Ohio State Marion was named last week as the other regional campus recipient.
The honorees are selected by a panel of previous award winners, students and faculty.
Boehm shared some of the students’ comments made about Joyce during the nomination process: “He shares the joy of learning and the excitement of critical thinking…works to give students the complete educational experience both in and out the classroom…he makes the classroom a safe space in which to be wrong.”
Ohio State Mansfield graduate Keith Karchella took German classes with Joyce, noting that Joyce is “funny, fun and relates well with his students.” “He was like our great German dad within our German family,” Karchella said.
Dean Gavazzi stated, “This is a reminder that we have great teachers—award-winning instructors—here on campus, which indicates the level of excellence that is maintained by our faculty and staff, and something that the entire Richland County community can be proud of, as well.”
In addition to Joyce’s most recent award, he has also earned two Fulbright Research Scholar awards, twice has been named Outstanding Teacher for Ohio State Mansfield and was the recipient last year of a “Thank-a-Prof” commendation through the University Center for the Advancement of Teaching for his engagement with students in the classroom.
He also advocated the addition of the Cyber Café to campus, mentioned colleague Gary Kennedy, professor of mathematics. “That’s been a great addition to campus,” Kennedy said.
Joyce joins Joseph R. Holomuzki (2011), John Thrasher (1999), Deborah Bainer (1996), Thomas Foster (1993), James McCleod (1991), Janet Tarino (1990) and Frederick Dahlstrand (1983) from the Mansfield campus as past recipients of this prestigious award.
A humbled Joyce stated that a lot of faculty could have easily won the award; however, he attributed his award to behaviors learned through philosophy—calling students by their names and conveying knowledge in a way that shows he is just as much a learner as the students are. “It gives them a sense of empowerment,” said Joyce.
Even after the announcement was made and congratulations shared, Joyce maintained a look of shock.
“I was so surprised,” he said.
Conversely, Joyce’s accomplishment wasn’t a question for Manderscheid, who stated, “He was an obvious winner…Teaching German isn’t easy and he does it well and his students love him.”
