Hillsdale College History Professor Named Professor of the Year
Associate Professor of History Matthew Gaetano honored by 2022 graduating class
Hillsdale, Mich. — Hillsdale College congratulates Matthew Gaetano, associate professor of history, on being named Professor of the Year by Hillsdale’s 2022 graduating class.
Gaetano has taught at Hillsdale College since 2011. He regularly teaches Western Heritage, American Heritage, Reformation, Renaissance, and Western Heritage since 1600. He was named professor of the year in 2015 as well.
“I am deeply grateful to all of my mentors and colleagues at Hillsdale for forming me as a teacher,” said Gaetano, who graduated from Hillsdale College in 2005. “Their friendship, encouragement, and insights make it such a joy to teach at this place. I trust that I will always be a student in that way. The students so often exceed my (quite high) expectations. Their desire for wisdom and the rich conversations provoked by their love for truth sustain our efforts here. The class of 2022 faced significant obstacles in their pursuit of truth and goodness; I look forward to our continued partnership as members of this community.”
The award was announced at the President’s Commencement Dinner on April 29. Gaetano noted that due to a recent sabbatical, none of the senior class attended his Western Heritage course. Instead, he offered highlights from the course in the form of quotes from Cicero, Aristotle, Petrarch, and the Bible.
“Remember these teachings,” he encouraged the senior class. “Be grateful for the gifts of the debates within the traditions into which you have been initiated over these last four years. But don’t forget the elements in that tradition that call us to ‘holy ambition’ or creative audacity. Be animated by hope for deeper satisfaction. Jacob wrestled with an angel. Augustine taught us that we are restless until we rest in God … Don’t just remember peace; be peacemakers.”
To be named professor of the year, educators must demonstrate exceptional character and teaching excellence, availability and generosity in their work with students outside the classroom, community support and good citizenship through involvement in campus and community organizations and events. Professors are nominated by students through a signed letter of recommendation.
As part of his duties as Professor of the Year, Gaetano will speak at next year’s fall convocation.
View a headshot here.