Professor Baty honored with Exemplary Teacher Award

Associate Professor of French Devan Baty received an unexpected honor at Cornell College’s 2017 Commencement ceremony when she was announced as the recipient of this year’s Exemplary Teacher Award.

“Devan is a wonderful teacher, advisor, and colleague among the faculty at Cornell,” Dieker said. “In addition, she is recognized by her colleagues as an important academic leader on our campus. I am very pleased to honor her outstanding service with this award.”

The recipient is chosen by Dean of the College Joe Dieker in consultation with President Jonathan Brand and members of the faculty. Baty said she had no idea she would receive the award.

“The award is just so motivating,” Baty said. “I really love being a teacher, and this just makes me want to already start thinking about my syllabi for next year.”

Baty has a Ph.D. in French from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a M.A. and B.A. from the University of Iowa. She teaches Cornell courses such as Beginning French Language, Intermediate French in Context, Advanced French Composition and Conversation, and Passionate Extremes in Early Modern France.

Baty’s research and teaching interests are closely intertwined, focusing on Francophone literature, culture and cinema of the Maghreb, the situation of Muslims in France, post-colonial perspectives and print culture, and female readers in early modern France. From the beginning to the advanced level, she integrates information and intercultural literacy tasks into language instruction.

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church offers the award for its affiliated colleges. In 2015, the recipient was Associate Professor of Theatre Jim VanValen, and in 2016, the recipient was Professor Carol Zerbe Enns.

The recipient receives $1,000 with $500 of it from the United Methodist Church and $500 from Cornell College.

Baty has been a member of the tenure-track faculty since 2007.