KU psychology professor wins three teaching awards

LAWRENCE -- A University of Kansas professor known for his study of hope has been named the 2001 Kansas Professor of the Year and received two distinguished professor and teaching awards.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Educators named Rick Snyder, professor of psychology, its 2001 Kansas Professor of the Year. Snyder was one of four nominees in the CASE program, which salutes outstanding undergraduate instructors. The award has been given annually since 1981.

He also was named the M. Erik Wright distinguished professor in clinical psychology. The professorship was established in 1988 to honor the man who implemented the clinical psychology program at KU. Snyder, only the second recipient, said the professorship would help him work on teaching and research.

"I feel very lucky for this professorship," Snyder said. "It frees up my time and allows me to do work with students and study the concept of hope."

Snyder also received this year's Byron T. Shutz Award for Distinguished Teaching. Snyder will give his public lecture at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, in Alderson Auditorium at the Kansas Union. The lecture, "Hope for Teaching," will focus on instilling hope in students, he said.

"You give and receive when you have the honor of teaching," Snyder said. "You give hope to students and, in turn, they give hope to teachers."

Snyder's research focuses on the ideas of hope and forgiveness. He developed the hope theory and played a central role in the positive-psychology movement. His book "The Handbook of Positive Psychology" will be published this month. He also has signed a contract to write a textbook on positive psychology and plans to develop a class at KU on the subject.

"Hope is so much a part of our lives," Snyder said. "Hope is a way of thinking about goals and how we can reach those goals. I don't think our species would have survived without hope."

Snyder is also interested in developing the Hope Institute at KU, a place where scholars and researchers could study hope and positive psychology.

Snyder came to KU in 1972 as an assistant professor of psychology. From 1974 to 2001, he was director of the clinical psychology program at KU. He earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and his master's and doctoral degrees from Vanderbilt University.

Snyder said he is thankful but a little bewildered at the trio of awards.

"I really feel very lucky," he said. "There are so many talented teachers and scholars at KU and in my field. I never dreamed of all this."