It was a Monday just like any other for Alex Alvarez.
On the second floor of the Raul H. Castro Social and Behavioral Sciences building, the criminology and criminal justice professor watched as students filed into his 4 p.m. lecture and prepared for yet another class exploring the catalysts of violent crime. That was when movement just outside the classroom caught his attention.
“We were just getting started when I saw people in the doorway,” Alvarez said. “When a whole crowd of people came in, cheering and waving pom poms, I was absolutely surprised. I didn’t know what was going on.”
Unbeknownst to Alvarez, he had been chosen as this year’s Homecoming dedicatee.
Every year, student organization leaders nominate and vote for one NAU faculty or staff member whose diligence and devotion have changed the university for the better. That individual, who must have worked at NAU for at least 10 years, is honored at key events throughout NAU’s Homecoming celebration as its dedicatee, including a special banquet held in their honor, a chili cook-off and recognition at the Homecoming football game.
Before they can do that, however, they have to be officially recognized, or “tapped,” by their colleagues and nominators—a tradition dating back to 1936.
For Alvarez, the tapping included about 20 of his coworkers, department heads and student organization members bursting into his classroom with blue and gold streamers, customized buttons and a whole lot of school spirit. Watch the tapping video.
Michelle Gardner, director of the Office of Leadership and Engagement and co-chair of the Homecoming committee, led the charge. She explained the details of the honor for the audience of captivated students and encouraged a round of applause for all that Alvarez has done for his department.
After coordinating five years of tapping ceremonies, recognizing individuals who embody NAU’s values has become the highlight of Gardner’s career.
“The chosen dedicatee’s main responsibility is to soak up all this appreciation,” Gardner said. “It is a time for them to be celebrated and reflect on all they have contributed to Lumberjacks near and far. This tradition not only honors a dedicated member of our community, but it also links them to a long line of remarkable individuals who came before them. It’s truly unforgettable.”
Alvarez started working at NAU in August 1990. What began with an interview for a pre-doctoral criminal justice position has since sprawled into a 35-year-long legacy in the making. In addition to mentoring hundreds of aspiring criminologists as a professor, Alvarez is co-chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and worked as the founding director of the Martin-Springer Institute from 2001 to 2003.
His research into collective and interpersonal violence has taken him to numerous countries, including Austria, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Sweden, but for Alvarez, the most fulfilling chapter of his three-decade career is the one that led him to Flagstaff.
“Even after all these years, I still love teaching,” Alvarez said. “I really get to know these students, and I get to watch them grow, develop and learn. The fact that there’s this recognition from my students, that the work I do means something to them, means the world to me. There are a lot of things happening in this country and around the world, so if there is anything that gives me hope, it’s working with these students.”
As Gardner passed out buttons with Alvarez’s face on them, faculty members within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences lined up to congratulate Alvarez, some shaking his hand or pulling him into a hug.
One such coworker was T. Mark Montoya, associate dean for academic initiatives and student affairs.
“Dr. Alvarez is not only a brilliant scholar, but he’s also the kind of colleague who brings depth, kindness and curiosity to every interaction,” Montoya said. “Whether he’s teaching students, presenting internationally or just chatting in the hallway, Alex leads with integrity and insight. His overall dedication makes this honor especially fitting. I’m lucky to work alongside him at NAU.”
Lynn Jones, associate dean for personnel, research and graduate programs, has taught in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice since 2001. As a friend and colleague of Alvarez, she said she has witnessed his passion for teaching in countless places, from managing auditorium-sized introductory courses to organizing one-on-one thesis consultations.
“Alex has an ease with students and creates a welcoming environment for learning,” Jones said. “His care for students and their success provides a model for his colleagues. He has a talent for making relatable some of the more challenging criminological topics of interpersonal violence, genocide and human rights; students come out of these classes as well-prepared critical thinkers primed to address these important problems in our world. My friend and colleague, Dr. Alex Alvarez, impacts students, colleagues and our community, and he is a most deserving Homecoming dedicatee this year.”
Homecoming week starts on Monday, Nov. 3. Visit NAU’s Homecoming webpage for a full list of upcoming events, including ones hosted in honor of this year’s dedicatee!