Hundreds attend award presentation
Stetson’s beloved Political Science Professor T. Wayne Bailey has been named Volusia County’s Citizen of the Year for 2011, in recognition of his dedication to Stetson students and his contributions to local, state and national politics. The award was presented to Dr. Bailey Jan. 31 at the county’s annual State of the County Address.
A Stetson faculty member since 1963 who earned his Ph.D. at the University of Florida, Bailey founded Stetson’s Department of Political Science and directs the university’s Washington Semester at American University program. Many of his students have gone on to careers in government, including at least three alumni currently serving in the Florida Legislature.
“Dr. Bailey’s quiet, often unrecognized service, his wisdom and insightfulness, have made life better not just for Stetson students, but for all of us,” Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno told more than 600 county leaders and citizens at the event at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach.
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Watch an alumni video tribute, below.
Post your comments about Dr. Bailey
He was instrumental in helping me choose my career path. I look back with great fondness of him as a professor and of the Model Senate and Washington, D.C. programs that he guided. What a well deserved honor.
Congratulations, Dr. Bailey.
Congratulations Dr. Bailey! We cannot count the number of students across generations that you have moved with your brilliant, conversational teaching style, enthusiasm about politics, and kind words of encouragement.
Katie Turner and Joshua Miller
Class of ’07
Dr. Bailey is a treasure. I remember back some 48 years when I sat in his classroom in Elizabeth Hall. His words were full of wisdom and his spirit was that of a true gentleman. I suppose he is my only Stetson professor who is still active nearly a half century after my years there. May he long be a presence in the Stetson community and in DeLand and Volusia County and the great State of Florida. – Larry Boyd, class of 1966, from my Tennessee home
I watched with tears in my eyes and joy in my heart….this video is old buddies all grown up giving overdue thanks to a timeless icon: T. Wayne! You richly deserve this and more Dr. B. Thanks for knowing just what we each needed and providing it, you treated us all as if we were the ticket to changing the world…and some of us made our small dent thanks to you!
Dear Dr. Bailey,
Please know:
How much you broadened my horizons as your student at Stetson, how much you made me want to work hard, and how much I treasure the experences you provided, in and out of the classroom, at such a pivotal time in American politics.
Our 1972 New York-Washington Seminar will always be treasured. Washington alone was momentous: a blend of Republican, Democrat and national experiences….
President Nixon’s Inauguration, attending the First Inaugural Youth Ball, visiting the memorial for President Johnson in the Rotunda, the Vietnam Ceasefire was announced, the Apollo 17 astronauts honored by Congress, a bomb threat at the Capitol, “The Capital Steps” were just starting out, visiting Watergate soon after the break in, Senator Bob Dole giving the Republican students a ride in his limo, and being briefed by Supreme Justice Earl Warren. All this, within our two weeks, and that’s not all—it is unforgetable! I khow students every year thereafter your students treasure the memories and experiences as much as I do.
Dr. Baily, you provided countless enriching experiences, as you have no doubt done every year since. To quote the last words from my 1972 journal, “I learned what a text book could never teach.”
You epitomize the best: Mentor, respectful, provocative, supportive, insightful, caring, loyal, brilliant, year after year.
Thank you for every moment shared. Congratulations for every honor received!
With much appreciation,
Pam Waxler Fogt, Class of 1975
Congratulations for a splendid recognition!
Dick Ginn, ’65
I can not think of anyone who deserves this honor more. Dr. Bailey, you are truly an inspiration and a wonderful human being. Thank you for all your assistance when I was a student at Stetson 13 years ago and for your friendship after I graduated. I look forward to seeing you this weekend at Homecoming. Keep up the great work you are doing! My children want to go to Stetson in 8 years and they want you as a teacher!
What a well-deserved and overdue honor for my old advisor, mentor and friend. You have done Dr. Diament proud!
Congratulations to you, Dr. Bailey!!
Carolyn Dial
Class of 1971
Congratulations Dr. Bailey. This is quite an honor and well deserved. Thank you for your contributions to my education.
Dr. Bailey has always been one of my heroes. He is one of my very fondest memories of my years at Stetson, and I was NOT one of his finest students…..I did not have a mind for political science, but I was a scholarship kid and he pulled me through. He is so very deserving of this honor, and so much more.
What a wonderful and very well deserved honor for a truly great man.. Stetson has been blessed to have had Wayne Bailey on our faculty…