Drummond Receives UW Ellbogen Lifetime Teaching Award

Kent Drummond is a true Renaissance man.

The longtime University of Wyoming Department of English professor has shown just how versatile he is by instructing students in some thought-provoking classes while also encouraging them to follow their dreams. Colleagues and students all sing his praises as one of the best instructors on campus.

Those accolades have earned Drummond UW’s 2024 John P. Ellbogen Lifetime Teaching Award. The Ellbogen award recognizes the long, distinguished and exemplary career of one senior faculty member who has excelled as a teacher at UW.

Drummond has been in the UW Department of English since 2019 and, before that, was in the Department of Communication and Journalism and the Department of Management and Marketing.

“As a UW professor, Dr. Drummond has distinguished himself through his innovative course offerings and dedication to student success,” a colleague says.

Drummond has taught a wide variety of courses in pop culture, the history of rock ’n’ roll and consumption, markets and culture. He co-wrote the book “The Road to Wicked” that examines the long life of the Oz myth and is currently writing a book on one of his passions: The Beatles. His articles on van Gogh, Led Zeppelin, Graceland, “Swan Lake” and “The Da Vinci Code” have appeared in numerous books and journals.

In addition to his role as a teacher, Drummond has made significant contributions to academic administration and leadership. As a past associate dean in the UW College of Business, he played a key role in the founding of the Academy of Teaching Excellence and oversaw accreditation and assessment activities. His leadership abilities, coupled with his dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, have had a lasting impact on UW’s academic community, a colleague says.

“Beyond his academic endeavors, Dr. Drummond is deeply committed to service and engagement, both within the university and the broader community,” a nominator says. “His involvement in various committees, boards and professional associations reflects his dedication to making a positive impact on society.”

He has a long list of honors; faculty, students and others have nominated Drummond for many awards. He has received the Susie McMurry Chair for Excellence in Teaching; the John P. Ellbogen Award for Excellence in Teaching; the Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Freshman Education; the Hollon Award for Excellence in Off-Campus Teaching; the Wyoming Distance Educator of the Year Award; two Promoting Intellectual Engagement Awards for first-year students; and 10 Mortar Board Top Prof Awards.

As one former student explains, Drummond is not a “regurgitator of knowledge -- he is a storyteller.”

Students are eager to study with Drummond because they know they have the opportunity to learn from a passionate and dedicated instructor and will get to study topics that are innovative and interdisciplinary. Students also know that Drummond will spend plenty of one-on-one time during the semester, getting to know them and their intellectual interests.

“Dr. Drummond stands out in these 1:1 sessions because he never makes the discussion about himself, but instead … guides students to think creatively about how they can make their lives creative acts,” a student says.

Drummond received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University; Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University; and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Austin.