Dr. Eugene Tesdahl, associate professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being recognized with the 2024 Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award. Created by Provost Emeritus Dr. Mittie Nimocks Den Herder, the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award honors and recognizes outstanding faculty at UW-Platteville who teach effectively, teach the value of diversity, teach the ability to argue sensitive issues with competence and civility, create opportunities for students to engage in high-impact practices and teach the importance of a liberal arts education.
Nimocks Den Herder served as provost of UW-Platteville when Tesdahl began his career at UW-Platteville in 2014. He said her legacy continues to enhance the institution, and he is deeply humbled to be recognized with the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award. Tesdahl’s colleagues agree that he is leaving his own mark at UW-Platteville.
“Gene’s excellence as an educator in every sense of that word makes him an outstanding candidate for the Nimocks Family Faculty Appreciation Award,” said Dr. Adam Stanley, professor of history at UW-Platteville and one of Tesdahl’s nominators. “It is difficult to imagine a better example of an instructor’s commitment to student learning and success, facilitation of meaningful undergraduate student research and genuine leadership in high-impact practices benefitting students, supporting the teaching and learning of the value of diversity and demonstrating the enriching benefits of a liberal arts education.”
Tesdahl has taught Early America, Native American History, Women’s History and Public History at UW-Platteville. He says he offers American history full of complexity to all students in ways that permit his students to take their learning beyond the classroom and to engage in civil dialogue on even divisive subjects.
“If the goal of social studies education is to acquire the cultural literacy one needs to survive in the world, as well as develop empathy for all those one is bound to interact with, Dr. Tesdahl’s class should serve as an example for how to effectively balance equitable instruction with content practicality,” said Alex Miller, a recent UW-Platteville graduate and former student of Tesdahl.
“My students leave my courses as better writers and more careful researchers. That is more important than recalling names and dates,” said Tesdahl.
Tesdahl will be recognized at an award ceremony at the Harry and Laura Nohr Gallery on Monday, Aug. 26.