Judith G. Gardner

The Writing Center is named for Judith G. Gardner; however, many newer visitors to the Center wonder who Judith G. Gardner was. Professor Gardner came to UTSA in the fall of 1980 as a lecturer in what is now known as The Writing Program. Before she died in May 2008, she wore many hats; the supreme teacher, the administrator of The Writing Program and Writing Center, a colleague to her fellow professors, and a friend and mentor to countless students.

Judy Gardner was the supreme teacher. Her students loved her; she set high standards for them and expected them to meet those standards. Judy believed in some occasional tough love but she also encouraged those who struggled, and she praised those who excelled. Her use of a green pen to grade and comment on student papers has become a symbol of her encouragement toward her students.

Needless to say, Judy influenced the lives of her students. For example, Lapetra Bowman stated, "I have known Judy since I was 17. She was instrumental in my success at UTSA with both my bachelor's and master's degrees. What is most memorable is how, during her illness, never once did she not smile and spread light upon my path.” Judy loved UTSA and felt that UTSA and its students were the “rising stars of Texas.”

Judy also spent many extra hours at UTSA guiding students in extracurricular activities, such as Golden Key National Honor Society. She led that group to win many awards on the local, state, and even national levels. In 1999, Judy received the Advisor of the Year Award for the Southwestern Region of Golden Key National Honor Society.

Everyone who knew Judy as a colleague or as a teacher was not surprised when she was continually honored for her teaching and guidance. She won many awards over the years, but none as prestigious as the Minnie Stephens Piper Professor Award in 2001. This award is given each year in the State of Texas to 15 professors for superior teaching at the college level. At UTSA, she received the first President’s Excellence in Teaching Award for non-tenure track faculty and received two University Life Awards for Outstanding Faculty and for Outstanding Registered Student Organization Advisor.

Judy was also the fearless leader of The Writing Program. Her pet project was The Writing Center with its technology lab and Tutoring services, which she founded in 1999. She also piloted the Writing Across the Curriculum program. She was always an excellent example of what she expected from each of her colleagues.

Judy was a “gentle soul.” This quality was part of the reason students, colleagues, and friends were so attracted to her. She was a people person who knew everyone’s birthdays; she made sure that each co-worker received a card. In The Writing Program, we could be sure that we would receive a least one birthday card on our special day. Judy was also an animal lover. For many years, she helped to make sure that the feral cat colony at UTSA was fed by supplying cat food and raising money to feed and to neuter the cats.

All the facets of Judy’s life and the qualities of her as a person made her a friend to everyone. She was never too busy or, in her last two years, never felt too bad to listen to her friends’ and students’ problems, whether school-related or personal. Judy had a way of perking up those around her. She influenced everyone to strive to be better people and gave people courage with her bravery. For all of these reasons, Judith G. Gardner was the consummate teacher and the ultimate mentor and advocate for students.

On September 5, 2008, The Writing Center was renamed The Judith G. Gardner Center for Writing Excellence.

written by Deanna White,
of The Writing Program