ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dr. Peter Ramey has received Northern State University’s 2017-18 Outstanding Faculty Award.
Ramey, associate professor of English, was announced as this year’s winner during NSU’s spring commencement ceremony on Saturday.
Ramey received several letters of nomination from faculty and students, including from NSU College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Joshua Hagen. Hagen wrote that Ramey has “built and sustained an unequivocal record of excellence in teaching, research and service.”
“Dr. Ramey’s passion for student learning and success, his dedication to his profession, and his commitment to advancing the overall mission of the university are well known among faculty, as well as among staff and administrators,” Hagen wrote.
Hagen noted Ramey’s superior performance in the classroom; impressive record of publications and scholarly activity; and invaluable service to the university, community and discipline. He also praised Ramey’s high-quality advising and mentorship of students outside of the classroom.
“There can be no doubt that Dr. Ramey is dedicated to the pursuit of continuous improvement and excellence in teaching and advising, and ultimately the success of all Northern students,” Hagen wrote.
Fellow College of Arts and Sciences faculty members wrote letters in support of Ramey’s nomination. In her letter, Dr. Ginny Lewis wrote that Ramey exhibits a caring conscientiousness that helps students thrive.
“He is scrupulous in his preparations, versatile in his skills regarding the use of technology, a respected expert in his field, and someone that students truly enjoy working with,” Lewis wrote.
Lewis, professor of German, also wrote that Ramey is a valued colleague whose positive energy is infectious.
“In this writer’s view, Northern is a better place for having Dr. Peter Ramey as a professor here, and I feel truly blessed and privileged to call him my colleague,” she wrote.
A native of Grand Marais, Minn., Ramey came to NSU in August 2012. He received his undergraduate degree from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif. He then went on to earn his master’s degree and Ph.D. in medieval literature at the University of Missouri, Columbia. His research interests include Old English language and literature, aesthetics, and liturgy and hymnody. At Northern, Ramey serves as the NSU English Club advisor.
NSU student Ashley Jenkins met Ramey through her involvement with the English Club, according to her letter of support. She also worked as his teacher’s aide last semester.
“I learned myriad instructional strategies from Dr. Ramey that I hope to employ in my future classroom: namely, his passion for his subject area,” Jenkins wrote.
In her letter of nomination, Northern student Annika van Oosbree also wrote about Ramey’s enthusiasm for his work.
“Above all, Dr. Ramey is extremely passionate about both his job and the subject matter that he teaches,” van Oosbree wrote. “I have said to my friends multiple times, ‘My goal is to be half as passionate someday about my job as Dr. Ramey is about teaching at NSU.’”
About Northern State University
Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $45 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.