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Stanford GSB News

 

PhD Students Honor Prof. Keith Krehbiel

June 2007

STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS—Keith Krehbiel, the Edward B. Rust Professor of Political Science at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the recipient of the 2007 PhD Faculty Distinguished Service Award, said mentoring future scholars and teachers has also meant learning from and being inspired by students.

"I really feel that, as I get older, the real blessing of PhD education, particularly in a place like Stanford, is we learn as much from you as you learn from us," Krehbiel told students at a May 31 ceremony in his honor. "You keep us on your toes. You improve us and you make it pleasurable to work."

The annual award, given by the Graduate School of Business PhD Association, recognizes the faculty member who has made exceptional contributions to the intellectual development of the community of doctoral students.

"There is something very distinct about PhD teaching," Krehbiel said. "When you walk into the classroom, the students actually know what you do, they know why you do it, they think it's important and they truly want someday to sort of do the same thing or something close to it or be somewhat like you. And that makes all the difference in the world."

Dean Robert Joss praised Krehbiel's achievements, adding that the award is given to faculty members who have influenced their students profoundly.

The award, he said, is given "not just to someone who inspires in class, but someone who inspires for the rest of my life, in terms of the career I want to have and the kind of teacher and mentor I want to be."

One of Krehbiel's students, Jason Grissom, echoed this point, saying it is from Krehbiel "that most of us first learn how to think about real research."

"Keith focuses me, helps me identify interesting problems and assists me in turning my broad ideas into specific research questions," he added. "What is great about being advised by Keith is that even though our substantive interests diverge, he is an adept consumer of research from other fields, and his comments on my work are invariably insightful. My work is no doubt enhanced by his perspective because he encourages - nay, forces - me to think about problems in interdisciplinary ways."

Another student, Marc Meredith, said Krehbiel stressed the importance of being clear and rigorous in academic research.

"His philosophy about being clear with your assumptions, precise with your language, and rigorous with your methods is something that researchers from any discipline can benefit from learning early in their graduate school career," he said.

Meredith also pointed to Krehbiel's less serious side and his ability to make him feel at ease in the academic world. He recalled how Krehbiel held the final day of class at his house, sent funny clips from the television show The Colbert Report to students, and sometimes took time out to play ping-pong in the student lounge.

"Many students, including myself, find the first year of graduate school a difficult struggle, not only because of the workload, but because of the difficulties adjusting to the isolating social climate of academia. Keith was the first faculty member at Stanford to make me feel comfortable in my surroundings."

Krehbiel was also honored with the Stanford Sloan Award for Teaching Excellence in 2000.