Dr. Thomas Sovík,
‘Fessor Graham award recipient

By Nicole Limpede
Staff Writer
April 23, 2002

Not just any professor can win NT’s ‘Fessor Graham award.

It takes a professor who has dedication, personality and enthusiasm to take home the most prestigious award given by the student body of NT.

Dedication, personality and enthusiasm are just a few of the words that describe this year’s winner, Dr. Thomas Sovík of the music faculty.

“He’s a fanatic in a good way,” Adrian Barton, Forth Worth senior, said.

“He has a special way of making a connection with students. His personality is so much different from other professors. He’s more relaxed and more approachable. You’re not afraid to go up and ask for help.”

Sovík has been teaching at NT for 15 years. He said his favorite part of NT is the students and the classes he teaches.

He said that after leaving for one year to Mississippi, he is sure that Texas is the place for him.

“When I came here it was just too hot,” Sovík said.

“But now I love this place. It’s quirky, but after you’re here for a while, you figure out how things really work. 

Sovík’s favorite class to teach is MEUT 3020, the History of Pop Music.

He said the class forces him to stay on his toes and keep up with the daily changes of culture and music.

“This class is a constant learning experience for me,” he said.

“Everyone in this class is a specialist about something. I can say something about Elvis in class and then I will encounter someone who has made Elvis their life.”

The class consists of more than 500 students and satisfies the cultural diversity credit. Sovík said it is an exciting class because it’s not like a typical lecture.

He said it is more like a stand-up act.

Sovík’s music class is just one of the many reasons the Student Government Association chose him for the award.

Each semester Sovík offers activities for students that take them beyond the classroom.

He takes, on average, 500 students to Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas. He also takes 50 students to Europe each semester.

He doesn’t get paid for the time; instead, he said he just enjoys helping the students.

Sovík was one of 18 other professors nominated by the students. The SGA chooses who receives the award based on three main factors: outstanding and unselfish service to students, teaching excellence and length of service at the university, said Plano senior Troy Griffis, SGA vice president.

The award was created in 1958 to honor Prof. Floyd Graham who, at the end of his career, had taught at NT for 47 years.

The winner of the award receives a silver plate with his or her name engraved in it, courtesy of Graham’s family.

Sovík said he was shocked he got the award but extremely honored because it came from the students.

“You can fool faculty, but you can’t fool students,” he said.

“I appreciate this award because it is being recognized for something I came here to do. Winning the award validates this class as being not a joke.”

Students interested in taking one of Sovík’s 12 day trips to Europe can contact him by phone at 369-7689.