Outstanding Contribution by a Full-Time, Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Member Award: William Marvin, M.A.
Professor William Marvin was appointed lecturer in 2002 but has taught as an adjunct faculty member in the department of philosophy since the 1980s. Over that time, Marvin has taught at least 12 different philosophy courses. In addition to teaching the required Introduction to Philosophy course, the primary focus of his teaching over the past decade has been in professional ethics courses, including Engineering Ethics, Information Ethics, Business Ethics and the Core Program’s capstone, Professional Ethics in a Global Community. Marvin has taught all of these courses with great effectiveness, successfully winning over many of his students to the philosophical study of ethics. He challenges students to think more critically and with much greater sophistication about the implications of their primary ethical commitments for their future professional lives. Marvin has been able to teach such a broad range of courses so effectively in part because he reads voraciously and widely, regularly updating his courses with new cases and timely issues in the news. One of Professor Marvin’s former students wrote the following about Marvin’s teaching: “To say Professor Marvin has inspired my intellect and spirit is an absolute understatement. I spent only one semester in the classroom with him, yet he is one of the most influential teachers I have encountered throughout my life. [...] He always approached our conversations with the unique combination of the gravity of an extremely well-read philosopher and a patient friend, willing to meet me exactly where I was. [...] He is an eclectic masterpiece of humor, philosophy, wisdom, open-mindedness, friendliness and approachability.” Marvin also has made valuable contributions to many of the University’s academic initiatives, including the Core Program, distance learning and learning-living communities. He is one of the few faculty members to have attended every Humanities Base faculty workshop since 1991. Marvin’s commitment as a non-tenure-line faculty member to working on special academic projects with students and colleagues has been impressive. Marvin’s involvement as a community leader in the city of Dayton also is noteworthy. He is president of the Five Oaks Neighborhood Improvement Association and has devoted substantial effort to improving the quality of housing in the Five Oaks neighborhood. The College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to recognize Professor Marvin’s meaningful and enduring contributions as a non-tenure-line faculty member.
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