U-M professor tabbed as a top teacher

Professor of English Language and Literature William "Buzz" Alexander, who launched a popular prison arts project 10 years ago, has been honored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for The Advancement of Teaching for his commitment to undergraduate education.

(Photo by Daniel Peck Photography)

On Nov. 17, Alexander was named one of only four professors nationwide selected as CASE and Carnegie U.S. Professors of the Year, from a pool of more than 300 nominees.

He was honored in the category of Outstanding Doctoral and Research Universities Professor.

"This award highlights not only the excellent teaching that the University offers its students, but also our dedication to service-learning and community outreach," President Mary Sue Coleman says. "We are very proud of Professor Alexander and the model of social engagement he has created in his work for our undergraduate students."

Alexander was honored for his work as founder and director of U-M's Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP)—a program that has trained more than 1,000 students to facilitate workshops in the arts at Michigan prisons, juvenile facilities and marginalized Detroit high schools. The workshops help inmates and young people develop materials drawn from their own lives, encouraging individual initiative and pride in accomplishment. He was also cited for his enthusiasm in teaching and for the outstanding courses he has created.

Founded in 1990, PCAP is committed to original work in the arts in Michigan correctional and juvenile facilities and has worked with prison actors, writers and performers to create two dance performances, more than 174 original plays in 18 Michigan prisons, 109 original plays in four juvenile facilities and 70 plays in Detroit high schools and one rural high school.

Since 1998, the program has supported more than 40 creative-writing workshops in Michigan prisons with 39 public readings and 26 anthologies. The program also has hosted 10 Exhibitions of Art by Michigan Prisoners and three exhibitions of art by incarcerated youth from four juvenile facilities.

Alexander, who joined U-M in 1971, has a doctorate from Harvard University and is the University's Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of English Language and Literature.

"This award for our work brings recognition to a heretofore invisible national crisis—massive incarceration," Alexander says. "We are grateful to the University for its long and continuing support, to the Michigan Department of Corrections and to the work of several thousand students and Michigan prisoners."

The CASE and Carnegie award also earned Alexander a $5,000 prize.

The program, which salutes professors for their commitment to undergraduate education, is the only national initiative specifically designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. "It is clear that for our state and national Professors of the Year, teaching is a calling, not merely a job," says John Lippincott, CASE president.

"Through their remarkable efforts inside and outside of the classroom, these professors have profoundly changed the lives of their students, providing them with a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of their lives."

The other professors honored are: W. A. Hayden Schilling of The College of Wooster; Katherine R. Rowell of Sinclair Community College; and Carlos G. Gutierrez of California State University.