2011 Faculty Governance Awards

Citation for Barbette Spaeth

In her ten years as a faculty member at William and Mary, Barbette Spaeth, Associate Professor of Classical Studies has served Arts & Sciences and the College of William and Mary in a diverse range of capacities. Coming from Tulane University, where she had compiled an excellent record of service, Professor Spaeth immediately took on the role of a faculty leader at William and Mary. In addition to serving as chair of the Personnel Committee in Classical Studies, she served for five years as department chair. As chair, she led a revision of the curriculum and expanded research opportunities for undergraduate students. The latter emphasis included the creation of a new study abroad program that has become a model for international faculty-student research in the humanities at William and Mary. Indeed, the study abroad program is one of the most innovative among classical studies programs in the nation. For Arts & Sciences, Professor Spaeth has been a member of the Committee on Honors and Interdisciplinary Studies, the Faculty Affairs Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Dean’s Advisory Council, which she co-chaired.

 At the College level she has been equally active, serving on Faculty Assembly, the Faculty Research Committee, the Personnel Policy Committee, the Procedural Review Committee, as well as on Faculty Assembly’s Faculty Affairs Committee and its Committee on Planning and Resources (COPAR). Throughout all her service, Professor Spaeth has been a tireless advocate for clearly-articulated, transparent polices and efficient procedures. A number of improvements in the Arts & Sciences Dean’s Office and new planning documents for Arts & Sciences chairs come from proposals made first by Professor Spaeth. For selfless service to her colleagues and her dedication to academic excellence, Professor Barbette Spaeth is a worthy recipient of the 2011 Arts & Sciences Faculty Governance Award.