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Founder’s Celebration honors Temple’s best
Dennis Lebofsky, English
Stauffer Service Award
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| Lebofsky |
When Dennis Lebofsky set foot on Temple’s campus as an undergraduate in 1957, he would have found it hard to imagine the influence the University would have on his life for almost 50 years.
But before he retires from his position as English professor and director of the First-Year Writing Program this spring, Lebofsky will be honored with the Stauffer Award for distinguished faculty service, recognizing the profound effect he has had on students and faculty at University during his tenure.
Lebofsky’s Temple story begins in the classroom of his revered English professor William Rossky, who encouraged him to consider teaching on the college level — a possibility Lebofsky had never considered.
After finishing graduate school in 1965, he happily returned to Temple to teach English under his esteemed mentor, who was chair of the English department at the time. Lebofsky describes Rossky, who passed away four years ago, as a brilliant teacher who truly cared about his students.
Over the past 41 years, Lebofsky has garnered much respect on his own accord for his dedication to students, instructors and the University’s writing curriculum.
Colleagues said Lebofsky is extremely deserving of the award for his tireless work on behalf of students.
“What’s especially important about him is that he’s brought a very high level of professionalism to the teaching of writing,” said Philip Alperson, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “The level of service that he has given to the college is almost unmatched by anyone on campus.”
Ensuring that the instructors have the knowledge and resources to effectively guide students is a top concern for Lebofsky. Over the years, he has trained more than 250 graduate assistants in writing education.
“My job is to be as supportive, helpful and proactive as I can be — working with them and for them,” he said.
During his 20-year tenure as director, Lebofsky has led the First-Year Writing Program through several major shifts, tailoring courses to challenge and improve the skills of a wide range of students. The 70,000 undergraduates who have taken first-year writing under Lebofsky’s direction have benefited from his commitment and constant drive to improve, and many more will benefit from his work for years to come, said Sue Wells, chair of the English department.
Students have always been Lebofsky’s No. 1 priority. In fact, one of the reasons he has remained at Temple throughout his career is his admiration of Temple students.
“I love the Temple student,” he said. “I think the best way to describe them is that they are real. By and large, they are open-minded and hard-working, and I appreciate that.”
This makes sense because, after all, Lebofsky himself was once a student here — as were his wife, all five of his children, and four out of five of his children’s spouses.
The final twist to the story: Lebofsky’s mentor Rossky was given the Stauffer award 25 years ago.
“To think that I’m following in his footsteps,” Lebofsky said. “It’s just unbelievable.” |
