2011 Faculty Governance Awards
Citation for Barbette Spaeth
In her ten years as a faculty
member at William and Mary, Barbette Spaeth, Associate Professor of Classical
Studies has served Arts & Sciences and the College of William and Mary in a
diverse range of capacities. Coming from Tulane University, where she had
compiled an excellent record of service, Professor Spaeth immediately took on
the role of a faculty leader at William and Mary. In addition to serving as chair
of the Personnel Committee in Classical Studies, she served for five years as
department chair. As chair, she led a revision of the curriculum and expanded
research opportunities for undergraduate students. The latter emphasis included
the creation of a new study abroad program that has become a model for
international faculty-student research in the humanities at William and Mary. Indeed,
the study abroad program is one of the most innovative among classical studies
programs in the nation. For Arts & Sciences, Professor Spaeth has been a
member of the Committee on Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Faculty
Affairs Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Dean’s Advisory
Council, which she co-chaired.
At the College level she has been equally active, serving on Faculty Assembly, the Faculty Research Committee, the Personnel Policy Committee, the Procedural Review Committee, as well as on Faculty Assembly’s Faculty Affairs Committee and its Committee on Planning and Resources (COPAR). Throughout all her service, Professor Spaeth has been a tireless advocate for clearly-articulated, transparent polices and efficient procedures. A number of improvements in the Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office and new planning documents for Arts & Sciences chairs come from proposals made first by Professor Spaeth. For selfless service to her colleagues and her dedication to academic excellence, Professor Barbette Spaeth is a worthy recipient of the 2011 Arts & Sciences Faculty Governance Award.
