Robert Brown, professor of political science, was sitting in his office on a normal afternoon when his entire life and teaching career changed for the better with a single phone call from former Chancellor of the University of Mississippi Dan Jones.
Jones informed Brown that he was the 2015 recipient of the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award, which is the highest honor a teacher can receive at the university.
Brown has been teaching political science and honors classes at the university for almost 30 years.
“Being a teacher is really important to me. The notion of challenging students to think about things differently and to challenge themselves creates an environment where they can also challenge me,” Brown said.
The Hood Award honors one Ole Miss faculty member who represents the highest standard of teaching excellence and teaching engagement. This award started in 1965 when the Faculty Senate of the university proposed a program to recognize and award teachers for superior teaching to then-Chancellor J.D. Williams.
Williams agreed, and a selection committee of faculty representing the different colleges and schools was elected by the faculty in the fall of 1965. The first award was given in the spring of 1966.
Since then, the committee, which is now comprised of eight previous Hood Award recipients, accepts nominations every spring from faculty, students and alumni. Brown said he felt gratitude and surprise after receiving that call from Jones.
“Everyone guards the award pretty carefully,” Brown said.
Brown grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. He recalls participating in campaigns and debates in high school. He was an undergraduate in Illinois when his mentor advised graduate school for Brown’s next step.
“It all just kind of fell into place after that,” he said.
Having students take part in the nomination process gives them a chance to show their appreciation for teachers who’ve had a meaningful impact on their college career, according to Brown.
“If a teacher has made a difference in your life, made you think more deeply and made you want to become a lifetime learner — which I think is the goal (of teaching) — then take a few minutes to nominate them,” Brown said.
Nominations for this year’s Hood Award are open until March 1.
