Annemarie Hamlin, La Sierra University assistant professor of English since 1996, was the winner of the 2005 Distinguished Teaching Award. Award recipients are chosen for three qualities: fosters learning, nurtures students’ intellectual development, and evokes passion for the life of the mind.

“Annemarie Hamlin is a master of the art of classroom discussion—somehow she can find something in a student’s rather convoluted statement and help turn it into a well-spring of energetic debate,” says Dahlie Conferido, a 2005 graduate with a master of arts in English, now serving as English and history teacher at Auburn Adventist Academy in Auburn, Wash. “She is innovative and at the same time classic; she isn’t afraid to break out the crayons along with the literary text. Her classes are not easy. You have to think, question and challenge the status quo. But with her, learning does not stop at the end of a chapter or even the end of a class period. She invites us to ask the age-old question, ‘Why does any of this matter?’”

Hamlin specialized in American literature, earning her doctorate in nineteenth-century American literature at Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, Calif. She teaches courses in her expertise at both the graduate and undergraduate level at LSU, and contributes to the university studies and honors programs. “I love questions with no answers that we can work through together,” adds Hamlin.

"Annemarie Hamlin is one of La Sierra University's 'up and coming' young scholars,” says Lawrence T. Geraty, LSU president. “She's a superb teacher, a faithful researcher and one of the faculty who can be counted on for service—plus she's such a nice person. I'm delighted the faculty chose her for this year's teaching award."

“I never wanted to be a teacher,” says Hamlin. It was not until she was almost finished with her doctorate that Hamlin decided to even try teaching. “After two weeks I was hooked. I was sick the first week and went back the second week and loved it.

“I like La Sierra University because one’s passion to serve others is central to one’s spirituality,” Hamlin adds. “One of my students is now working at a mission for homeless people. He has taken that spiritual quest and is changing lives of the people who need help.”

Recently awarded the Wood Fellow, College of Physicians from Philadelphia, Penn., Hamlin spent time this summer in Pennsylvania working on her research on the history of women in medicine. She and husband Dean Harris have two daughters, ages 5 and 7. Her favorite genre is short stories and she enjoys writing. Her favorite book is “whatever I am reading at the moment.”