With Gratitude

In May of 1997, I stepped down from the first and only tenure-track position I would ever hold. I made that choice, because I wanted the freedom and flexibility to be more present in my children’s lives. This was not a sacrifice on my part, it was a privilege. The years that I was essentially a stay-at-home mom, teaching a couple night classes a year at the University of Minnesota, were definitely the most precious years of my life.

As my children grew more independent, I shifted to teaching day classes for the School of Engineering at University of St. Thomas. With time, my role at St. Thomas expanded far beyond teaching, but I never returned to the tenure-track. That has been a good choice and the right choice—for me. I have been able to focus my energies into the part of university life that I love, teaching and directly serving students. However, societal norms do have a way of sneaking into our psyche and shaping our sense of worth.

Webster defines adjunct as “something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it.” Even though it has been by choice, my outsider status has sometimes pained me; I have bristled at some of the limitations; and internally, I have questioned if there was something lacking in me that kept me from choosing a more conventional path. University-wide recognition is something I assumed I would never be considered for because of the “supplementary” nature of my role, which makes it all the more moving to receive this honor.

I am grateful my university is choosing to formally recognize the value that I and my adjunct colleagues bring to our institution. We are not full-fledged voting members of the faculty, but we are making an impact. We are giving of ourselves in service to our students, our community, and our fields of study.

I am profoundly honored to be the first to receive the Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year Award.

I express deep appreciation to folks who have supported me in my career:

1) My father, Gerald Scheppers, Professor of Chemistry, my inspiration and earliest role model. What was uniquely wonderful about my father is that he backed me 100% even when I walked away from the kind of role that he prized.

2) My mentor and dear friend, Frank Kelso, who has also forged his own unconventional path and has always lifted me up via words of encouragement (and referrals to teaching opportunities) throughout my career. A guardian angel of sorts.

3) Susan Mantell , Deborah Besser, PE (CA), PhD , Camille George , Michael Hennessey , John Wentz , Kim Stelson , Katherine Acton and other administrators who have provided me with many opportunities to develop and teach courses that I love.

4) My current dean, Don Weinkauf, who said, “Yes!” 10 years ago to my initially vague, but always sincere, desire to serve transfer students.

5) Jeff Hammer and Doug Dunston who helped me to see myself as a true engineer and a faculty member, worthy, capable and definitely not “less than” as I had too long presumed.

6) My husband, Ken Holte, PE, who has never expected me to do or be anything but what I felt called to be. My best friend and greatest support.

7) My children, Jackson, Tanner, and Justina, who have blessed me in a million ways. With these three, I never doubted my path, I was unquestionably drawn to spend every second I could with them.

8) My students, who challenge me, inspire me, and mysteriously motivate me to work through dinner and forget the world outside.

It’s hard to believe that 40 years ago, when I didn’t know what career path to take, the only thing I was certain of was that I didn’t want to be a teacher.

My, how life surprises us!

https://news.stthomas.edu/university-wide-faculty-awards-recognize-excellence-in-teaching-scholarship-and-service/