No more faculty meetings, and no more papers to grade. But we’ll still get to hear his thoughts on politics on TV and radio, and read his comments on this website.
That’s my two-sentence upbeat conclusion about the retirement of Stephen J. Farnsworth from the University of Mary Washington after three decades in higher education.
“Upbeat” for me, at least. That means I can still call Farnsworth, former professor of political science and international affairs and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, for quotes when I write political stories and want an academic-style analysis of a situation.
It’s not so upbeat for his students, who will lose a legendary prof who spent 26 years in Fredericksburg and an additional four at George Mason University.
Farnsworth spent 10 years as a reporter before becoming a professor. He was completing his Ph.D. at Georgetown when he discovered an opportunity to teach at Mary Wash as a one-semester replacement for a professor on sabbatical.
“And then there was an opening, and I applied for it,” Farnsworth told me. “And even though there were a hundred files of candidates, they picked me, and I’m good.”
I appreciated his humility as we sat outside the under-construction Hyperion Espresso in downtown Fredericksburg. But he didn’t have to be humble with me. I have literally been calling this gentleman since 1998, when I had my first full-time journalism job, at the now-closed Potomac News in Woodbridge.
But even with many hours of phone calls over several different newspapers where I’ve worked, I didn’t really know much about Farnsworth in the classroom, except that my ex-wife, a UMW alum and employee, told me he was beloved by students.
That’s why it was good to hear from Nathan Francis, who now is an aide to Rep. Eugene Vindman, who represents the Fredericksburg area.
Francis was initially intimidated to take a Farnsworth class, he wrote in an email to me, because the educator had a reputation “that was tough, serious and came with work that was additional outside of what was normally expected of a 300-level class.”
“But,” Francis wrote, “I ended up taking one of his classes, and I genuinely believe it changed the trajectory of my life without me even knowing.”
The then-student found that Farnsworth did have high expectations for those in his class.
“But his teaching also came with the anecdotes any student would have enjoyed hearing that wanted to end up in the world of politics,” he wrote. “From roaming the halls of Congress as a reporter, to knowing now-Senator Bernie Sanders when he was mayor of Burlington, Vermont, you got a sense of his depth of knowledge and that translated into a learning experience that was unmatched.”
Francis also noted Farnsworth’s ability to moderate political debates on campus, a number of which I covered.
“Watching Dr. Farnsworth pose questions, maintain composure, deal with a sometimes-unruly audience and provide a place for candidates to debate, and discuss their desires for the upcoming election, gave me even more respect for his teaching and approach to his work,” he wrote.
Francis ended up taking several courses with Farnsworth, and the professor’s connections helped him land his first job. He explained that Farnsworth taught the nuts and bolts of politics but also brought the community together by indirectly teaching “how to be a public servant.”
“In a time where political divisiveness is so high, Dr. Farnsworth provided a place that was fair and understanding — and I don’t think many people truly understand the service that is,” Francis wrote.
Rosalyn Cooperman, a professor who chairs UMW’s Department of Political Science & International Affairs, also shed light on Farnsworth as a colleague.
She wrote in an email that much of what she knows about Virginia politics she learned from the man who now carries the title of “professor emeritus.”
“As a former journalist (though I don’t think Steve would have made that distinction, as he believed that once a journalist, always a journalist), Steve had a keen understanding of political issues and events — who made decisions and the impact of those decisions on the public,” Cooperman wrote. “And, he could explain those issues, events and decision-makers in an accessible and unbiased way that made clear why they were important. He also has a fantastic sense of humor and can’t resist finding humor in the often-absurd scenarios in political life.”
In her formal remarks from Farnsworth’s retirement reception, Cooperman wrote that her fellow educator also has won awards from the university and from the state, and even has collected multiple Fulbright awards.
“As an educator, Steve has helped students polish their research, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills to prepare them for successful careers after Mary Washington and also to be civically engaged and active members of their communities,” she wrote. “Steve’s mentoring has extended to his colleagues — I count myself among those fortunate enough to call him a friend and mentor.”
For my part, the working journalist part, Farnsworth has always been good about returning calls and understanding deadlines I was working under. That’s because he was a reporter, of course.
“And so, when a reporter calls,” he told me, “I’m often thinking, ‘What would I want to hear if I were on the other end of this call?’”
He said he also benefits from a network of former students who work in Virginia politics, like Francis.
That helps him connect current students with alums who potentially can hire them for internships or jobs.
“But it’s also a chance to get some intel,” Farnsworth said. “You know, what are you thinking about? … What’s the latest with the prospects for potential gubernatorial candidates, how the legislature is going to work out an impasse, stuff like that.”
Politicians like to talk about how many jobs they’ve “created” during a given time. But here’s a political scientist who’s also helping people get gainful employment at the same time that he’s keeping us informed.
Sounds like he’s earned some time for R&R.
