Gender and women’s study professor Chris Guzaitis shocked everyone – including herself – when she entered the Motley Coffeehouse on April 27 and found a party in her honor. Expected through another entrance, Guzaitis’ arrival brought cheers and applause from students, faculty, staff, and alumnae as she was quickly ushered on stage and crowned the 2011-2012 Professor of the Year.
“I was completely shocked,” says Guzaitis of the festivities, which included a bouquet of flowers, and ceremonial wand, and her own plush squirrel nicknamed “The Nutty Professor.” “It was all a bit surreal and wonderful. I am so, so grateful; this is a wonderful honor.”
Guzaitis joins a select pantheon of faculty with her nomination. Started in 2008, Professor of the Year annually celebrates one faculty member as voted on by 61´«Ã½students; past winners include Matt Delmont, Winston Ou, Marina Perez de Mendiola, and Tony Crowley.
Students gathered at the event were effusive in their praise of professor Guzaitis. “I’ve seen her interact with students of all ages, from ninth and tenth graders in the 61´«Ã½ Academy to alumnae from all walks of life,” says Shane Zackery ’14. “There isn’t anyone she can’t motivate through her wit and huge breadth of knowledge.”
“Chris is a wonderful professor and has been a continual source of guidance, support, and knowledge for me,” says Lillian Estenson ’12. “She took extremely challenging queer and feminist theories, which I had previously been intimidated by, and helped me understand them. By the end of her class, I felt confident enough to bring these theories up in casual conversations.”
“I see the classroom as a space of possibility and community,” Guzaitis says. “I teach material I really love, so being able to share that with students and have them also grow passionate about issues related to feminism, gender, and sexuality is exciting for me.”
View photos of the event below!
