Judy Tzu-Chun Wu, assistant professor in the history department, helps students view history from a perspective outside of history texts.
“Professor Wu creates an open classroom where she encourages her students to share their knowledge and concerns – to bring relevant personal backgrounds and other readings to bear in the conversation,” said Roland Sintos Coloma, a graduate student in cultural studies and history of education.
Wu, one of the winners of the 2002 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, has been a professor at Ohio State since 1998. She received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in U.S. history with a secondary field in Chinese history at Stanford University.
Wu teaches Asian American and women’s history. She is one of the coordinators for the Asian American studies program that was created as an attempt to examine the culture, history, experience, concerns and contributions of Asian or Pacific Americans.
“She is very oriented toward students and serving the university,” said Kenneth J. Andrien, chairman and professor of history department.
Although deeply committed to her research on Asian Americans and ethnic studies in general, she sees teaching these issues and making students aware of the ethnic diversity of our country as a vital part of her task as a professor at OSU, Andrien said.
Incorporating discussions into lectures and encouraging the students to do the reading and lead the discussions are some of the techniques Wu uses to achieve an interactive learning experience.
“Last year I tried using PowerPoint to lead organized lectures, and I would ask about the implications of certain images and quotes to spark off their imagination,” Wu said. “I find it more engaging than just me presenting the information.”
Wu always finds a challenge in teaching.
“I am still trying to figure out my style as a lecturer and how to present material in the most engaging way and how to incorporate the material into the context of our reading,” she said.
Stephanie Gilmore, a graduate student in women’s history, said Wu is a mentor and a peer.
“Judy has taught me how to think critically of race and sexuality in ways I had not previously thought,” Gilmore said. “She not only encourages me to think more critically, but through her own impressive and path-breaking research she also gives me the tools to do so.”
The motivation behind Wu’s continual enthusiasm in teaching is her interest in seeking new knowledge from her classes.
“The topics in class change in terms of what my research interests are,” Wu said. “It feels good to have more people around me to think about the topic and think about some new insights.”
A racial incident that took place during her sophomore year in college encouraged Wu to develop a keen ability to think analytically about the education people receive in college and prompted her to pursue Asian American history as her field of expertise.
“Someone put a critical, derogatory flier outside one of an African American-theme dorm that celebrated African American culture to provoke people,” Wu said. “We decided to protest and let the person know that this is hurtful.”
Wu’s aspiration to become an educator also stemmed from an encounter with an associate dean during her senior year in college.
“He is very idealistic and said we can have impact on people through education,” she said.
Based on almost five years of teaching experience at OSU, Wu feels the area students need the most assistance with is to think analytically about history.
“It is challenging for them to develop critical thinking, communication and writing skills,” she said.
When Wu was in graduate school, playing tennis became one of her favorite pastimes to relieve stress. Her fervor in playing tennis has an integral impact on her teaching. It was through tennis that she was able to convey ideas that can be applied to different aspects of a student’s life.
“You learn how to focus – how to work really hard and enjoy it,” Wu said.
Writing and learning require the same attitude as playing sports, because relentless practices and discipline are the only way to excel, she said.
Wu is working on a biography of Dr. Margaret Chung, the first American-born Chinese female physician. After completing the biography Wu will begin a project on social activism during the period of the 1960s. The project will delve into how Asia serves as an inspiration for activists, such as hippies, Indian religions and anti-activists.
Wu is appreciative of her colleagues who have always been a source of her creativity.
“There are definitely people there to support me. We would sit down and generate all the wonderful ideas,” Wu said. “The sharing of ideas about what works and what not works is really helpful.”
The appreciation Wu has for her colleagues is reciprocated.
“She is very hard-working, enthusiastic, smart and with good humor,” said Susan M. Hartmann, professor of history. “I know that she puts a lot of thought, time and effort into teaching and that she cares deeply about students.”
The award is presented for teaching excellence. Nomination forms are submitted by faculty, student and alumni to select any full-time faculty member for the award.
“Some of the nomination forms said that Professor Wu was wonderfully inspiring in that she helped them in new ways of thinking about the subject matter and opened up their minds,” said Martha M. Garland, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies. Garland is also responsible for handling the awards.
