"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition." 

-Abraham Lincoln

AWARDS

Top Paper (2016)

"Revolutionary Symbolism in America: Kenneth Burke, Myth, and the American Road."

Kenneth Burke Society, Southern States Communication Association

Phyllis Japp Scholar (2015)

Graduate Research Award - University of Nebrska-Lincoln

Cooper Graduate Teaching Assistant Nominee (2014)

Central States Communication Association - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (2013)

Department of Communication Studies - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Honorable Mention (2013)

Graduate Studies - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

William H. Thompson Scholar Program (2012-2014)

Instructor - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

FACULTY TEACHING ASSESSMENTS

Dr. Emira Ibrahimpasic, Senior Assistant Program Coordinator for William H. Thompson Scholar Program:

"In my fifteen years in higher education I have rarely met a person who is able to connect with people of diverse backgrounds in a deeply meaningful and thoughtful manner.  Mr. Blanton’s eloquence, diversity of knowledge, passion, and charisma are unmatched, and all of his interactions, in class, workshop, or presentation are ultimately purposeful.  His ability to connect with those around him are best represented in the fact that every individual during his lecture feels like they are having a personal conversation with him.  Mr. Blanton has the unique skill of connecting the metaphysical with the real life experience in a way that engages all those present.  His outstanding mastery of speech and language aids Mr. Blanton in making the esoteric not only accessible, but familiar and appealing.  Without doubt Mr. Blanton is one of the few who are able to inspire a new generation of learners, critical thinkers and active citizens."

Neal Bryan, Assistant Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Development:

"The majority of your students (16/20) rated you as an Excellent instructor, and the remainder rated you as Good. Your students reported great satisfaction with the way you model principles of public speaking, and appreciation for the meaningful feedback you provide in response to their work. Your confidence, enthusiasm and classroom rapport were evident to me during my visit, which was the third consultation you have requested in as many semesters. I commend you for your commitment to continually develop your teaching skills and techniques."

Dr. Elizabeth Edwards, Assistant Director of Graduate Student Development:

“The students’ overall rating of you as the instructor was very positive, with the majority of the students in your first section (35/38) and all of the students in your second section (35/35) rating you as excellent or good. Your students also felt you maintained an atmosphere of mutual respect that encourages learning, used class time effectively, responded well to student questions, and related subject matter to real world situations.”

Dr. June Griffin, Faculty Coordinator for William H. Thompson Scholar (WHT) Program; Associate Professor of Practice:

“Ray Blanton has been a tremendous asset to WHT. He is especially adept at working with our students; he simultaneously pushes and supports them so that they can achieve more than they might have thought possible. His students’ respect for him, enthusiasm for the class, and the lasting impact of their learning are evident whenever he attends a community function: former students flock to him, eager to tell him about their current projects and how they connect to work they did in his class. Ray has been generous in giving his time to the community; he has spoken to instructors new to the community offering them smart, implementable advice that enacts a rigorous student-focused pedagogy. I cannot speak highly enough about how much I admire Ray as a teacher and value the contributions he has made to the program I coordinate.”

UNSOLICITED STUDENT TEACHING ASSESSMENTS

I have taken three language classes previously but none of them has given me such a fantastic experience. What you have done was challenge us. Challenge us to think, to prepare, to work hard and to experience. Thanks to you, this class has given me far more than another “A” on the transcript. I have improvement, failures, success, teamwork, laughter, confidence, challenges, and so on. I did not care the grade any more, really, and what I put effort to was only for better experience. Grades, they are merely letters on the paper, but the experiences are the treasures which last lifelong. Thanks for your hard work on designing the class and thanks for challenging me on every aspect. I have never written to a professor like this to express my feelings about a class, and I don’t know if it is appropriate.

–Zhendong W. COM 109

I wanted to first of all thank you for really challenging me during the course of this semester. Even though I sometimes struggled with some assignments, I learned something new about both myself and the way life works. In all honesty, this class was the most challenging course of my semester but I still found it enriching. Thanks for pushing me beyond my boundaries.

–Jaquelin G. COM 220

On a personal note, I just want to say how impressed and touched I was that you made such a significant effort to know your students and make them feel accepted. It's shocking how much of a difference it makes to know your audience on some level, and while I know that won't always be the case in a speaking situation, it certainly has a calming effect in an introductory course. Additionally, thank you on behalf of the international students for making it so clear that critiquing their English skills is not the point of the class.  I found it especially poignant when you asked a native English-speaker to perform his speech a second time, in his second language. As native speakers, I think it is something we rarely think about from that perspective. Thank you for taking that into such obvious consideration. Thank you for everything this summer. You've been a truly inspiring instructor.

–Hannah B. COMM 286

I learned a lot in this communication class. I still remember [my course goal] to "be confident". Although there's still a long way to go, I can now speak in front of an audience without over-nervousness. You are a very good teacher, in [both] class and life. It was my great honor to take this class. I appreciate your effort and time.

–Ian B. COM 286