Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - David Rowley, professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, received the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award for the College of Liberal Arts and Education (LAE). The Academic Advising Award is given out each year to one individual in each of the university's three colleges who demonstrates outstanding skills as an academic advisor.

According to the faculty and students who nominated him, as an academic advisor, Rowley stands out to everyone he meets. From students to colleagues, all noted that they were impressed with the time and energy Rowley invests in each individual.

Paula Nelson, chair of the history department, said that not only does he display an accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the programs he advises, he is also, "consistently kind and patient with his students and provides them with the time they need to discuss classes and issues."

Past students agreed with this assessment. David Chancellor, a former advisee of Rowley's was also impressed with the many different resources that Rowley provided him with during his academic career. He said that Rowley "is an excellent communicator who, although deeply intelligent, brings very little ego to his work. When presented with difficult advising questions, he will invariably quickly find the correct reference rather than guess or assume an answer." Chancellor also said "without exception, he always seemed happy to put aside whatever he was working on to consider my questions." Chancellor will be attending Washington University in St. Louis to pursue a doctorate degree in history.

Adam C. Stanely, assistant professor of history at UWP, agreed with Chancellor about Rowley's availability. Rowley served as Stanley's faculty mentor his first year on campus. "He was always willing to put aside his own work to discuss my problems and uncertainties on a moment's notice," Stanley said. He continued, "David was ever ready to listen patiently, to be supportive in all circumstances, and to offer advice when needed."

Rowley said he has three basic principles of advising. He noted the importance of both paying attention to detail and giving each of his advisees the treatment and attention they need. His final principle, "Follow your bliss," comes from Joseph Campbell's "The Masks of God."

In addition to advising, Rowley has contributed research to the field of Russian history. He has received the Larry Remele Memorial Fellowship twice, once in 1992 and once in 1995, to undertake research in this area. Rowley has also contributed to the development of a new world history text for Prentice Hall: "The World: A History."

Rowley has been a member of the faculty at UWP since 1999. He has served on many different committees including the Teacher Education Committee, the LAE Curriculum Committee and the College Scholarship Committee. He has also been the faculty co-advisor to the Students for Peace and Justice since 2002.

Each recipient was recognized at the Chancellor's Convocation, and received a plaque and a monetary award.

Contact: Tammy J. Salmon-Stephens, chair, Academic Advisor Award Selection Committee, (608) 342-1563, salmont@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Nicole Eggebeen, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, eggebeen@uwplatt.edu