April 29, 2005 -- As Charles "Charlie Ksir walks by the University of Wyoming Classroom Building, he recalls the facility was a lot different when he first came to UW in 1972. The building, scheduled for a its first major remodeling project beginning this summer, was only a few years old, the showcase, modern facility on campus.
"There weren't any computers or video projectors back then," recalls the University of Wyoming professor of psychology, who is retiring at the end of spring semester, but plans to return to as a part-time teacher next spring. "What I do remember is there were a lot of ash trays. Students could light up and smoke during class."
If there ever was a valuable utility player on the University of Wyoming faculty roster, it would have to be Ksir. For his long-time commitment to UW, Ksir is the second recipient of the John P. Ellbogen Lifetime Teaching Award.
Devoting much of his career to providing high-quality instruction for his students, he has won numerous teaching accolades at UW, among them the John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award and Mortar Board's Top Prof designation. He is a nationally published author in his field and has written two textbooks.
Back in 1972, he recalls, there was a big demand for information about drugs and behavior, subjects he continues to teach today.
"It was still the psychedelic era, and drug use was widespread," he remembers. "There was a need for good information, not just about drugs like marijuana and LSD, but about such things as alcohol and tobacco. In the 70s, there wasn't a whole lot of good information available."
Things have changed a great deal. For example, he points to Wyoming's ongoing campaign about the dangers of methamphetamine use.
"It's the scariest stuff out there, and so it's worthy of the attention it's receiving," Ksir says. "There's a lot more money available for this kind of public information effort. The campaign is very organized and effective in getting across a consistent message. Such resources weren't available in the 70s."
Ksir has served in many capacities, including four years as UW College of Education dean. It was a role he readily accepted, even though he was a Department of Psychology faculty member.
"I became aware of how hard the education faculty worked when I served on a curriculum and instruction review committee in the 1980s, and through that process I came to understand the important job they do for the state," he recalls. "Nothing we do is more important than preparing teachers for the public schools. UW provides many of the state's teachers, and their work is reflected in the quality and preparation of the students who later enroll here." With that perspective, he was convinced to accept the dean's position.
"I truly respect the dedication and hard work of the people in the business of preparing teachers," he says, adding that the college, led by current dean, Pat McClurg, has made great positive strides toward securing the resources and high quality faculty required to bring education the attention it deserves.
Several faculty members in their nomination letters stressed how Ksir accepted the role as College of Education dean.
"In Charlie's first year, he worked tirelessly and successfully," a faculty member wrote. "As people began to work with Charlie, both faculty and K-12 educators around the state came to have a great appreciation for his personal attributes and professional skills."
"Charlie has devoted much of his life to making sure that all Wyoming students receive a high quality of education, and he is more than a meritorious lifetime teacher. He is a lifetime meritorious educator," a colleague adds.
Students are quick to praise him, too.
"First, Professor Ksir is a superb teacher," says a former student. "He was the one professor who conscientiously facilitated the development of my writing and critical thinking skills. In fact, before submitting manuscripts for publication in scientific journals, I often ask Professor Ksir to peruse them and make suggestions regarding the manuscripts' clarity and presentation."
Another describes her admiration for his commitment to diversity on campus.
"He has a reputation for understanding diverse students, taking time to move them along in their learning and serving as a role model. He 'walks his talk' with students and they respect him for it," she says.
Public service also have been a major part of his career. He has been a member of the Albany County school board the past 10 years, and accepted appointments by the governor to serve as a member of both the Innovative Education Committee and the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board. Previously, he served 11 years on the Governor's Advisory Council for Substance Abuse and Violent Crime. A long time pilot, he recently was appointed to the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission.
Ksir received a B.A. (1967) in psychology from the University of Texas and his Ph.D. (1971) degree in physiological psychology from Indiana University.