American studies professor honored with Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award


LAWRENCE — Ann Schofield, professor in the departments of American Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Kansas, is the 2013 recipient of the Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award. The award will be presented Saturday, May 18, during the annual doctoral hooding ceremony.

“Professor Schofield has demonstrated a substantial commitment to improving the quality of the graduate student experience throughout her 34-year career at KU,” said Thomas Heilke, dean of Graduate Studies. “Ann has not only mentored students from American studies and women, gender and sexuality studies, but also from history, theater and film, political science, psychology and art history, while also leading the creation of the Ph.D. program in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies.”

One of Schofield’s colleagues called the award, “a long overdue recognition.” One student nominator wrote, “Her leadership at the university has been dynamic, positive and forward-thinking, and she has fostered an environment where graduate students from across disciplines can thrive and flourish. She is one of the most trusted faculty members here at the University because of her ethics, values, transparency and accessibility.” A former student indicated, “Once you have Ann as a professor, you have a mentor for life.”

Schofield’s research focuses on U.S. working class women. She is an active faculty member in both the American studies and women, gender and sexuality studies graduate programs. Schofield came to KU in 1979 as a visiting professor, after serving at the University of California-Berkeley, the University of California-Davis and the University of Paris XII. She earned her doctorate in history from the State University of New York-Binghamton in 1980.

The Louise Byrd Graduate Educator Award was established in 1984 in memory of Louise E. Byrd, who served for many years as secretary of the Graduate School. The award honors faculty members who have demonstrated extraordinary devotion to graduate students and graduate education and who have distinguished themselves as scholars.

KU Endowment is the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management foundation for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

More information about the 2013 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony is online.

 

Thu, 05/16/2013

author

Thomas Heilke

Media Contacts

Thomas Heilke

Office of Graduate Studies

785-864-8040