Dave Ramsaran

associate professor of sociology

The John C. Horn Distinguished Lectureship is awarded each year to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding scholarship and exemplary service to the university. When asked in what ways he thought he reached these benchmarks of excellence, Dave Ramsaran exhibited trademark modesty, deferring to the award committee for an answer.

But it doesn't take a statement issued by a committee to see why he was chosen. One look at his résumé says it all. Since joining Susquehanna's faculty in 2000, Ramsaran has authored no less than 10 academic works and presented papers at more than a dozen professional conferences. In addition to his individual research, he has collaborated on a book-length manuscript with Susquehanna colleague Simona Hill, associate professor of sociology. He is currently co-authoring another manuscript with Linden Lewis, a professor of sociology at Bucknell University.

Ramsaran's research interest focuses on race, class and gender issues as they relate to globalization. More specifically, he examines how the process of development and globalization is unfolding in Caribbean societies. Ramsaran also has a keen research interest in issues of diversity as they affect pedagogy and class dynamics.

His propensity for research and writing is fueled by his absolute fascination with his discipline. “I have always sought to understand why people behave the way they do and why some people have more opportunities than others,” says Ramsaran on his personal Web page. “Sociology allows me to look at such patterns of behavior, as well as understand what factors influence one's opportunity structure.”

In addition to his own research, the chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology has been instrumental in supporting the scholarship of his colleagues. To that end, Ramsaran organized an interdisciplinary “research cell,” a small group of faculty whose members provide peer feedback to each other.

He is also a member of University Council and served on the Presidential Taskforce on Diversity and Inclusiveness. Within a year of arriving at Susquehanna, Ramsaran had developed three new courses for the sociology curriculum. A year after that, he developed the Focus Caribbean Program, a short-term study-abroad experience in Barbados and St. Lucia coupled with on-campus coursework designed to teach students about Caribbean society prior to the trip.

Ramsaran's dedication to scholarship and service is matched only by his commitment to teaching. “The most interesting thing about teaching is the chance to mold the thinking of the students. In upper-level classes, and particularly among the more adventurous students, you can explore a lot of new ideas,” he says.

 

Steve Wilkerson

lecturer in management

In nominating Steve Wilkerson for the Susquehanna University Teaching Award, the Student Government Association said that “his door is always open to students and he is always willing to answer their questions, even if that means the glow of his office light is often visible into the wee hours of the morning.”

To Wilkerson, this is just another day at the office. But for him, a typical schedule is not so typical. In the fall, for example, he teaches a full day of classes on Mondays, plus a night course. He often doesn't get home until 1 or 2 a.m. as a result.

When asked why he maintains such a demanding schedule, Wilkerson says, “I set high expectations for my students that demand a strong work ethic, and for this reason, I should set an example by demanding the same from myself.”

Wilkerson attributes his strong work ethic to his father. “My father used to bring work home on the weekends. I learned from him that you stay until the work is finished,” he says.

Wilkerson began teaching part time at Susquehanna University in 1995. A professional educator with a mathematics emphasis, he was promptly given the arduous task of teaching statistics courses. By 1999, Wilkerson was teaching these challenging courses, along with business statistics, full time. The secret to his success in teaching what can be a rather dry subject lies in his seemingly innate ability to make learning fun.

“I tell real-life stories, sometimes personal, that relate to the material. I also show video clips relating to statistics, anything from the Andy Griffith Show to the Ohio State/Penn State football game and West Virginia history,” Wilkerson says.

Wilkerson's work with students has extended well beyond business statistics, though. He was the founding coach and advisor of Susquehanna's Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, leading the group to regional championships and national honors, including the national Rookie of the Year Award in 2004.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Wilkerson again engaged students outside the classroom by announcing a $2,000 matching gift for the first student organization to raise the same amount for relief efforts. Wilkerson and his wife, Myra, went on to establish a similar initiative with the Selinsgrove Intermediate School, transforming their effort into a community endeavor.

When asked what his favorite thing about teaching at Susquehanna is, Wilkerson says, “Without a doubt, the students.”

“I thoroughly enjoy teaching this age group,” says the one-time high-school math teacher and education consultant. “They exhibit so much energy and creativity. And although I have no children of my own, I feel as if I have 100 new kids each semester with whom I can develop relationships that will hopefully last well into the future.”

 

-Victoria Kidd
News & Editorial Manager