Duffey Receives Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Patrick Duffey, professor of Spanish, says teaching has always been the most important part of being a faculty member for him. Honoring his diligence and commitment, this spring he received the 2020 Excellence in Teaching and Campus Leadership Award.
Duffey teaches, he said, because he never likes to journey alone. “Teaching for me is going on a journey—learning a new language, reading a story, or interpreting a film from another culture—and having someone along to share the experience,” said Duffey, the Margarett Root Brown Chair in Foreign Languages and Literatures. “Having students gives me companions to share the adventure.”
He said each class he teaches is a step along the journey. His classes, he said, may be full of sarcastic or silly humor, games, songs, dances, deep conversations, and sometimes, sad or challenging moments of reflection—“everything I love most about life,” he said.
On his journeys, he said he is always teaching and learning at the same time. “I try to make a real connection with each student,” he said, “and I try to help each of them make real connections with what we are studying.”
He has taken students on literal journeys, like his January Term course that combines Spanish language and cultural immersion with service opportunities in Costa Rica.
Surprised by the College award—one of two given each year for teaching excellence—Duffey was caught off guard to also receive the Humanities Division Teaching Award. Each division selects a faculty member to honor in recognition of service, scholarship, student engagement, and teaching. Duffey had received the service and scholarship awards in the past. “This year, to receive the college-wide award as well as the divisional one—I was bowled over,” he said.
Duffey has said that he knew he wanted to teach and that he loved teaching language and literature. He also knew he wanted to work at a place that valued teaching as well as research. “Austin College and I found each other,” he said, “and we’ve lived happily ever after.”
Since joining the Austin College faculty in 1994, Duffey has been active in all aspects of campus life. He recently completed a stint as dean of Humanities. In addition, he serves as the campus contact for Fulbright grants and Peace Corps Prep Program.
A first-generation college graduate, Duffey earned his bachelor’s degree in history at Washington University. He completed a second bachelor’s degree in Hispanic literature at The University of Texas at Arlington before earning a master’s degree and Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with 46 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.