University Professor Jeannie Whayne Recognized as April 2024 Cordes Chair

Kathryn Zawisza

University Professor Jeannie Whayne, the April 2024 Cordes Chair, enjoys a moment in the Wally Cordes Chair that she was instrumental in bringing to campus.

The April 2024 Cordes Chair recognized by the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center was Jeannie Whayne. Whayne is a University Professor of history at the U of A and author, coauthor or editor of 11 books. Her area of interest is in Arkansas history, Southern history, race relations, agriculture and the modern plantation.

She teaches courses in U.S. history, agricultural history, the history of the South and Arkansas history. She is the winner of the Fulbright College Master Teacher Award, the U of A Mentor Award (undergraduates), the university's Graduate Mentor Award, the Charles and Nadine Baum Distinguished Teaching Award and the SEC Academic Achievement Award. She is also winner of the Arkansas Historical Association's Lifetime Achievement Award and the Agricultural History Society's Gladys Baker Lifetime Achievement Award. She is past-president of the university's Teaching Academy and past co-director of the Teaching and Faculty Support Center.

In her Cordes Chair presentation, Whayne spoke of her seven "Be's," which included information on how to connect with students and for a professor to bring out the best in their teaching. Whayne spoke of her journey from being an "ok" professor to being a renowned teacher and researcher. She shared tips from her 30-plus years of teaching experience that others could quickly adopt to improve their own teaching. 

Named for University Professor Emeritus Wally Cordes, who was known for his strong commitment to student connection, the award honors a faculty member whose career embodies a student focus. As an example of his desire to connect, he had all the students in his 500-seat classroom visit and sit in his rocking chair. His care and commitment to students is legendary. The award is selected six times a year by the TFSC co-directors. Recipients receive a certificate and the opportunity to sit in the famous rocker. They are recognized again in September at the Teaching Awards Reception.