Ken Waltzer came to Michigan State University from Harvard University in 1971 to help participate in building a new residential college that would harness teaching excellence and the idea of community to serve the ends of liberal undergraduate student learning.
He was chair of the Urban field for many years and, with Katie See, developed the Social Relations field. He wrote the working paper that created the Freshman Writing Program, and, when the College was threatened to be closed during the fiscal crisis of the early 1980s, he was the faculty spokesman in defense of the college. Later, he served as associate dean and interim dean during the transition to semesters overseeing faculty curriculum efforts. Above all, Ken was a deeply committed and successful teacher, whose passions for teaching, for his subject matter, and for student development had special impact on hundreds of James Madison graduates.
Related Links
- Photos from Waltzer Big Bash Celebration
- Program for Ken's Big Bash - Retirement Celebration, March 27-28, 2015
Ken and Sandy Waltzer Teaching Excellence Endowment
The Ken and Sandy Waltzer Teaching Excellence Endowment in James Madison College is named for Professor Ken Waltzer and his wife Sandy and has been established to support annual teaching excellence awards in the college. This endowment is established to fund annual awards highlighting special teaching achievement, significant impact on students, substantial contribution to curriculum, and successful mentoring of colleagues.
- Read more about Ken Waltzer's career, legacy and vision for the fund via PDF
- Download the endowment pledge form via PDF
- Make your gift to the Waltzer Endowment online
Waltzer Teaching Excellence Award Recipients
Endowment Contributions
James Madison College would like to thank the leadership donors below for their generous contributions in honor of Ken and Sandy.
Anonymous Donors
Wendy J. and Christopher Adam
Ken and Pam Bloom
Cory A. Carlson and Rhoda L. Altom
The Dorigo Jones Family
Wallace and Rhonda Jefferson
Beth Kuhn and Ken Edwards
Paul and Melissa Long
Robert and Julie Samson
Michael G. Sarafa
Michael and Elaine Serling
Julie and Mark Teicher
Ken and Sandy Waltzer