Dave Dettman does not view his work as a professor and library instruction program coordinator as a job, but as a passion. His enthusiasm for lifelong learning and passion for information literacy and research is what recently earned him the Excellence in Teaching Award at UW-Stevens Point.
Dettman teaches 16-week credit-bearing courses and course integrated instruction sessions that promote information literacy and critical thinking. His credit-bearing courses, which typically fulfill general education requirements, aim to engage students with differing viewpoints, prepare them to use library resources and ask the right questions early in their college careers. He is energized by building communities around research and wants students to not be ashamed to ask questions.
“I make sure to create an environment where asking questions is just a natural part of the research experience, and try to destigmatize using your faculty as resources,” said Dettman.
In addition to his credit-bearing instruction, a central part of Dettman’s work is teaching course integrated sessions. In his course-integrated instruction, he visits classrooms and provides students with library resources and research tips, often resulting in student research consultations. Each semester he prepares and delivers nearly 50 sessions with faculty in various academic fields, a task that requires the ability to engage with unfamiliar subject areas and effectively question student research across several areas of study.
In History 300: Archival Research and Writing, Professor of History and Chair of the Department of History and International Studies Brett Barker says that Dettman’s support for his students has been an integral part of their success in the course.
“Every semester he leads instruction for two entire class meetings, introducing students to library resources and how to find and access secondary sources for their research projects,” said Barker. “His patience and exuberance are constants, and this creates a rapport with students that continues throughout the semester, going well beyond these two initial sessions. He responds to student emails promptly and consistently and meets in person with any student who asks. Simply put, I believe many students’ success in the course is directly attributable to his tireless efforts.”
With the rise in AI tools in search engines and online resources, Dettman has had to help students navigate a new landscape when seeking information. In his course, “Critical Approaches to Information Research”, he teaches the foundational skills of discernment, guiding students on how to spot misinformation and clickbait in online sources. He subtitles the course “How to be the smartest person in any room”, because he truly believes that having sound research skills makes a standout employee in any profession.
“Having a sound command of research skills and knowing what’s good information from what’s bad information can distinguish you in whatever occupation or profession you go out into,” said Dettman.
His students praise his enthusiastic and engaging approach to classroom instruction, and his desire to see his students succeed outside of their academics.
“He is a passionate professor and mentor who encourages not just critical thinking and personal growth, but thorough research and willingness to see beyond your personal biases,” said Zoie Dinehart ‘25. “He does it all while adding new and interesting things to the conversation and an enthusiasm that is practically unmatched. Beyond his attitude, energy and encouraging teaching style, Dave also makes sure that his students are aware of every opportunity at their disposal, even if it may be something usually outside of their interests or chosen path. All of these together make him feel like someone who truly wants each of his students to thrive as people, not just in the classroom.”
On top of the courses he teaches for general education, Dettman also supervises the Internship in Academic Librarianship. The goal of the course is to give students experiential learning in a library setting, with the goal of preparing them for graduate studies and potential careers in library science.
“When I first came to UWSP, my plan was to earn a history degree and work in a museum,” said Jameson Powell, a history and international studies major. “During my library internship, however, he opened a new path for me by introducing me to the field of librarianship. The internship made me passionate about libraries and the work that they do.”
Dettman’s student evaluation scores have remained consistently high over the past three years, demonstrating sustained teaching effectiveness.
Additionally, internal research spanning 18 years of introductory library resources courses shows that students who took these courses early in their college careers had a nearly 78% graduation rate, compared to 60% for those who did not.
Dettman sees teaching not as a race to a finish line, but as an opportunity to equip students with habits of inquiry that extend far beyond a single assignment or course. He is energized by preparing students for future academic success and meaningful participation in the research process through critical thinking and discernment.
“To be good citizens, I think we need to be willing to not only share our opinion but to listen to others,” said Dettman. “The students I work with are willing to do that, and I learn as much from them every semester as they learn from me. It’s great to be able to teach in an environment where I’m constantly learning new things and feel like I’m being paid for a passion.”
When he’s not teaching, Dettman can be found listening to audiobooks, walking with his dog or spending time with his 15-year-old daughter.