ISU Teachers Remembered: Dahlia Stockdale
Dahlia Stockdale, faculty member in the department of Human Development and Family Studies for 25 years.
As part of its tenth anniversary celebration, the CTE presents a series on ISU faculty who have been influential and inspirational for a new generation of ISU instructors. Here, Corly Brooke, Director of the CTE, remembers Dahlia Stockdale. Read more about alumni and their favorite teachers here.
When I began teaching at Iowa State University in 1976, I was fortunate to develop a relationship with a faculty member in my department that, for all purposes, provided me with a wonderful experience that enhanced my professional life. Early in my career I was given the opportunity to team-teach a class with an experienced professor — Dahlia Stockdale.
We were asked to develop a parenting course for the Child Development department (now the department of Human Development and Family Studies). Little did I know that I was about to embark on a project that would offer me guidance and a dear, close friendship. By team-teaching the course, I gained from Dahlia's experience. I also shared the challenges and realities of designing and implementing a new course and learned about the importance of collaboration and teamwork. Most importantly, though, this was the first time someone showed interest in my teaching and a willingness to help me improve.
Dahlia went on to influence me throughout my career. It was significant that she encouraged me to become involved in activities outside our department that broadened my perspective of the university. She took me to a Faculty Senate meeting and, before I knew it, I was her replacement on Faculty Senate. She encouraged me to follow her tenure on the ISU Athletic Council and I ended up chairing it. And she also took me to my first event at the Center for Teaching Excellence, which obviously impacted my career! But she also invited me to visit her at Lake Okoboji where she and Harry escaped to the lake and golf course for the summer. It was a balance in life I am still striving to achieve!
I will always be grateful for the effect Dahlia had upon me. We laughed, argued, cried and complained together. We shared stories about our children, frustrations with department mergers, thoughts about administrative decisions, best teaching strategies, and recipes. When I was struggling with an issue or a decision, she helped me focus on basic values. She supported me in going up for promotion by helping me believe in myself.
What stands out most in my mind about Dahlia was her dedication to students and the integrity she always modeled. An incredibly busy woman, she would always ask me to sit down and tell her how things were going. She made it a priority to talk individually with students as well, always stopping to ask them how they were doing. Although I might not have recognized it then, I now see her wisdom and her ability to focus on what was really important. Often when I am rushing through a busy day of endless details, I stop myself and think about what Dahlia would value. She was truly dedicated to enhancing learning and teaching and kept the best interests of students at the center.
Sadly, Dahlia died of cancer before she could enjoy her retirement. I miss her terribly and often wish that I could seek her out for one more challenging, but supportive talk. She dedicated her career to Iowa State and I still can feel her presence. I am grateful for the opportunity to have known her and to have had her as a trusted colleague and friend.