For Dr. Franklin Proaño, “teaching is the most gratifying experience…there is no better reward than to have the opportunity to help hundreds or thousands of students to achieve their goals and to become useful members in our society in all kind of professions.” And Proaño’s students are grateful, describing his classes as motivating, engaging, and thought-provoking.
The Ecuadorian native received master’s degrees from both Instituto Superior de Humanidades Clásicas in 1958 and Colegio Máximo de Filosofía in 1961. He earned a doctorate degree in humanities from The Catholic University of Quito, and in 1971 also earned a Ph.D. from the Department of Romance Languages and Literature at The Ohio State University. After seven years spent teaching the Spanish language and Latin American literature, in 1976 he joined the Department of Comparative Studies at The Ohio State University-Marion, where he is currently a full professor.
The two-time recipient of The Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award (first in 1997 and more recently in 2007), Proaño is described by his students as having the ability to present material from different perspectives and explain it in a meaningful way, according to the “Recognizing Excellence at Ohio State” bulletin from last spring. Proaño’s “ability to help us simplify bigger ideas in order to come to our own conclusions and understanding,” is one of the most beneficial aspects of his teaching style, according to one student.
Says another, “[Proaño] is not there to merely lecture. He is there to support students in any way he can.” Such characteristics make Franklin Proaño an example of the excellence in teaching that defines The Ohio State University, whether in Columbus’ main campus, Marion campus, or beyond.
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