Nicholas Eastman receives Ripon College May Bumby Severy Award
At this spring’s Awards Convocation, Nicholas Eastman, assistant professor of educational studies, received the May Bumby Severy, Class of 1908, Award.
Established through a bequest from Severy in 1956, the award is presented to faculty members who have shown the highest degree of excellence in teaching. The established criteria include innovating existing courses and/or developing new courses, staying current with one’s discipline and communicating that knowledge to students in an effective manner, assisting students with course comprehension both inside and outside of the classroom, maintaining integrity of academic standards, teaching students how to think and communicate critically, exciting interest in course material, and providing useful feedback for students to improve the quality of their work.
Eastman earned his bachelor’s and master of arts in teaching from Southern Illinois University and his Ph.D. from Georgia State University. His academic interests are in philosophy, political theory and cultural analysis of education, and he has published in various academic journals. He recently co-wrote an article with Ripon College student Ethan Hansen ’23 titled “Classroom Exchanges: Big Data and the Commodification of Educational Communication,” to be published in Education & Culture during summer 2021.
His nomination cites his helpfulness and support of students in the Department of Educational Studies, encouragement of thoughtful argumentation, constructive feedback on assignments, and respect and understanding for his students.
One student highlighted their time in one of Eastman’s classes: “In his School and Society class, we thought, read and discussed problems and solutions in the world of education. Dr. Eastman had us ponder why we are teaching and learning instead of just thinking about different methods on how to teach and what we should be teaching. That is not to say that he thinks discussion about the different methods and different subjects to be taught are not important, but that having a clear reason for why we are doing something will motivate us and give us a clear purpose is of importance as well.”
Kourtney Camm ’22
Evansville, Wisconsin
Related Posts
Review of exhibit featuring work of Rafael Francisco Salas published
A review of Professor of Art Rafael Francisco Salas’ recent exhibit was published May 9 on Shepard Express, a Milwaukee publication. “Cruces|Crossroads” was on view […]
Farewell and thank you to our 2022-23 retirees
CINDY VIERTEL, 39 years Cindy Viertel will retire May 12, 2023. She came to Ripon in 1984 and was the hall director for Johnson Hall […]
Lillian Brown will perform ‘The OREO Complex’ in Washington, D.C.
Assistant Professor of Theatre Lillian Brown will take her solo performance of “The OREO Complex” to Washington, D.C., in May and June for 10 performances. […]
Erin Bryan will be soloist at chorale concert in Fond du Lac April 29 and 30
Assistant Professor of Music Erin Bryan will join the South Shore Chorale as soprano soloist for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (4th Movement) April 29 and 30. […]