Ben Batzer: 2023 Standing Ovation Award Recipient

An infectious positive attitude. A childlike enthusiasm for discovery. An intentional community builder. These were just a few of the phrases used to describe the recipient of the 2023 Standing Ovation Award. Nominators attested to his teaching prowess and ability to connect with others that far surpasses the four walls of any classroom. 

The Missouri Scholars Academy is overjoyed to present the Standing Ovation Award to faculty member Ben Batzer!

Ben’s involvement in MSA begins when he was a scholar in 2008, the year of light blue and dark blue, dubbed Facebook colors. He was in a major about marine biology and a minor focusing on global issues. When he returned as faculty almost a decade later, he decided to explore the world of literature. 

Since 2017, Ben has passionately taught the major O Critics, Where ART Thou? Finding Greatness in Paragraphs, Pages, and Plasma Screens and the minor Drugs, Politics, Religion and Smut! Radical Literature. In both reading-intensive classes, he pushes scholars to think well beyond the words on the page. According to faculty member Joe Milliano, Ben’s most admirable quality is asking the why behind these pieces of writing and that he does so “with tact, poise, and a great sense of humor.”

Joe also recognized Ben’s efforts to build a community wherever he went, going all the way back to when he was an RA in Joe’s dorm at Truman State University. 

“Through that role, Ben went above and beyond to make all of us nervous freshmen feel a part of the community,” Joe said, “When I joined the MSA faculty, I was not surprised to see Ben had a similar role here.” Ben is known for being a welcoming face at the Academy and an integral figure in building the communities that are so precious during those three weeks. 

Ben’s innate talent for fusing education with a sense of togetherness is best shown in his Cor:PSD classes. Community building is crucial to the Cor:PSD experience and Ben intentionally builds an environment where scholars can explore and grow, individually and together. Claire Broemmer, who was his RA co-facilitator this summer, was also in his minor and Cor:PSD as a scholar in 2019. When nominating Ben for the award, she spoke highly of her experience with him during both academies. 

“When I was in Ben’s class, he taught us how to listen, how to speak for ourselves, and how to create a community in which every person could do both of those things,” Claire said. She added that her experience in Ben’s class was “transformative.” 

Claire also spoke to Ben’s way of creating a welcoming space for sharing and bonding. 

“He provides a vast array of information with passion but also leaves room for students to form their own opinions,” she said, “We all knew that we could trust Ben with our words, and to speak his own truth every day as well.” 

When nominating Ben, faculty member Chris Holmes shared the impact that Ben has had on him during their years at MSA. 

“Though much younger than me, he is one of my mentors, a good man — the best of men — who quietly, humbly, and probably unknowingly teaches me how to be a better man myself,” Chris said. “I respect him. I cherish him.”

Ben is also known for hosting insightful afternoon activities throughout the Academy that offer new ways to look at literature. Last summer, Ben hosted a literary walk throughout downtown Columbia. Other programs that he brought to the Academy include How to Read the Bible Like an English ProfessorPoetry in a #MeToo World and Beautiful Art in an Ugly World.

When he’s not wowing us with chicken calls at the Academy, Ben is an assistant professor of English Education at Truman State University, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Previously, he taught at Nerinx Hall High School in Webster Groves, Missouri. He recently received his PhD in English from the University of Iowa. 

We are so lucky to have Ben for one month out of the year! He is an integral part of the academy, not only as an educator but as a friend. This sentiment is reflected in many of the closing statements of his nominators: 

“I will always be grateful for the opportunity to know Ben.” – Lizzie Cremer

“His friendship and guidance are things I will cherish for the rest of my life.” – Claire Broemmer

“[This is] an honor well-deserving of a person who will someday — a few decades from now, hopefully — make people feel sad about his departure. I hope he stays that long.” – Chris Holmes

“My life is better for knowing Ben Batzer.” – Joe Milliano

The Academy is also better for knowing Ben Batzer. Congratulations, Ben!