When William Seiler first received word that he had earned a lifetime teaching award from the National Communication Association, he thought of others: his colleagues, his students past and present, and the teachers and professors he’d worked with during his 40-plus-year career.

It’s those people who have made his career so enriching and worthwhile, he said.

Seiler, professor of communication studies, received the Wallace A. Bacon Lifetime Teaching Excellence Award during the National Communication Association’s annual convention last month in Las Vegas. The award is given to an NCA member for outstanding teaching as well as for demonstrating a long-term commitment to instruction.

“My first thoughts were ‘I don’t deserve this, there are so many excellent teachers,’” Seiler said. “At the same time, it really makes you feel like all the effort put into teaching is truly worthwhile.”

Seiler said that honing his craft was a priority throughout his career, even as he was department chair of communication studies for 21 years. He has published research, written book chapters, presented at regional and national conferences and talked about his research specialty – instructional communication – around the country.

“I enjoy research, but teaching is what it’s really all about in terms of being able to get students to learn about communication,” he said.

During his time as chair, Seiler focused his teaching on graduate courses. Many of those students have gone on to careers as professors and administrators. The nomination letters for the award came from past students who now are a dean, a course coordinator and an assistant professor.

“It is so gratifying to have been able to be a part of their success,” he said. “Teaching for me is a constant work in progress; I’m never completely satisfied with any class that I’ve taught because there is always room for improvement.”