Ties to Teaching

Entomology associate professor receives national award

As another day begins, Wyatt Hoback prepares to teach classes at Oklahoma State University. Unlike some of his faculty colleagues who wear OSU ties to work, Hoback chooses the perfect insect- themed necktie.

This early morning routine is typical for Hoback, who is an entomology and plant pathology professor. He knows the importance of creating unique teaching methods to spark students’ interests, he said, and one method he uses is pairing his neckties to his lectures. “I have 84 arthropod-themed ties separated into two categories — available and already worn,” Hoback said. “Every morning, I choose a tie out of the available pile that will be used as a teaching tool during lecture.”

In November 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities honored Hoback with the National Teaching and Student Engagement Award through the Excellence in College and University Teaching in Food and Agricultural Sciences award program. This award honors only two professors each year.

“Doing something I love and being recognized for it is amazing,” Hoback said. “It is very humbling and exciting.”

Hoback started his education at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in biology with an emphasis in environmental science. After graduation, he worked in construction almost three years.

Hoback knew construction was not his life plan, he said, which led him to pursue a master’s degree in biology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Within this program, he taught a biology laboratory section focusing on cell parts.

“My first teaching experience was teaching students outside of the biology major,” Hoback said. “However, I realized I was really enthusiastic about the students learning and being able to guide them in understanding biology concepts by using concrete examples.”

Wyatt Hoback has 84 arthropod-themed neckties he uses during lectures.

Photo by Justin Dewbre

From that point, Hoback knew he wanted to become a college professor, he said. He soon pursued a doctorate in entomology from the University of Lincoln-Nebraska because of his passion for teaching and his love for nature, Hoback said. He then started a teaching position at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

“I taught there 15 years and became a full professor with tenure before accepting an assistant professor position at OSU and essentially starting over,” Hoback said.

The 51-year-old’s passion for teaching entomology to students motivated him to accept the OSU position in 2013, he said.

“The main part of the position was teaching an Insects in Society course to all majors,” Hoback said. “Teaching students of all majors, not just one, is the most important job a university professor has.”

He said he enjoys his position and strives to teach concepts students can apply to their own lives, he said. He hopes to help people become more scientifically literate by making his lectures fun and interesting, he added.

“On the first day of class each semester, I bring a live Cicada killer wasp and allow it to sting me,” Hoback said. “I sting myself to show students the Cicada killer is not as big of a deal as the media portrays.”

Cicada killer wasps are commonly mistaken as the murder hornet from Asia, Hoback said. Students enjoy this demonstration, he said, and it helps grab their attention. He tries to show students the importance of understanding entomology, he added.

In addition to classroom teaching, Hoback serves as the undergraduate curriculum coordinator for the entomology programs.

“It is quite impressive how many students he recruits for the department,” said Phil Mulder, head of the OSU Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

“He is entertaining and engaging,” Mulder added. “He serves as a great source of information on just about anything related to nature.”

Hoback takes his teaching a step further by mentoring students, like Melissa Reed, entomology and plant pathology doctoral student.

“Dr. Hoback is the reason I decided to pursue my degree in entomology,” Reed said. “He helped me get a job and motivated me to fulfill my potential. “With his help, I have published my own scientific findings,” Reed added. “He truly cares about the education and the success of his students.”

Wyatt Hoback is married to Kerri Farnsworth-Hoback, OSU graduate program coordinator, and they have three children Molly, William and Allison. Molly and William Hoback attend OSU. “

As a young boy, William Hoback, theatre junior, dreamed of having his father as a teacher, he said, and his dreams came true in Spring 2020.

“My dad operates fairly and did not treat me differently because we are family,” William Hoback said. “He is the same kind and compassionate guy in and outside of class.

William Hoback said he is not surprised his father received a prestigious national award. Wyatt Hoback cares about teaching others and invests in his students’ futures, his son said.

“He is doing what he loves and found a way to turn his passion into his career,” William Hoback said.

Wyatt Hoback enjoys many things outside of teaching, including coaching Little League softball, playing video games, and guiding people to achieve their true potential, William Hoback said.

“He wants everyone to work hard and achieve their goals,” William Hoback said. “When he coaches, his focus is not on winning but improving.”

Wyatt Hoback is an effective professor, coach and father, William Hoback added, and understands the importance of compassion and honesty.

“My dad is my role model,” William Hoback said. “He does more than teach. He inspires others and changes the course of their lives.”

William Hoback said he is proud of his dad.

Wyatt Hoback receiving the USDA- APLU award distinguishes the OSU entomology program, Mulder said. It brings positive and constructive attention to the department and the university as a whole, he added.

“Wyatt Hoback will forever be the professor, friend and mentor you want on your team,” Mulder said.

Wyatt Hoback is deserving of this award, Mulder added.

“He is making an impact and will continue to do so, not for himself or for recognition, but for the success of others,” William Hoback said.

HAILEA HOOTEN-FRIELING

STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA