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While some Kansas lawmakers decry Dennis Dailey's class on human sexuality, some of his students at Kansas University are honoring him for his teaching.

Dailey received the Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award during the Jayhawk Scholar Recognition Banquet on Monday at the Kansas Union ballroom.

Del Shankel, left, presents Dennis Dailey, professor of social work, with the the Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award.

The award is given annually. All student athletes are invited to nominate a teacher for the award. A committee interviews the nominees, then votes for a winner.

The KU School of Social Welfare released the following letter today in support of Dennis Dailey, professor of social work.

An Open Letter to the University Community

During the past two months, a very important process has been unfolding as State Sen. Susan Wagle began her public attack on the school's human sexuality class and Dr. Dennis Dailey. Our school's mission has a "special commitment to helping vulnerable groups and individuals ... social workers celebrate differences among people and believe that respecting those differences -- whether race, culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age -- enriches the quality of life for all." Further, we see knowledge as empowering our students to reach their full potential.

The current assault by Sen. Wagle has been both personal and, in essence, an attempt to redefine the fundamental principle of academic freedom. If she succeeds, she has established the principle that the Legislature has the power to determine content in every curriculum in the regents system.

Given our school's commitment to marginalized groups, we are a logical first target. However, we will not be the last. Those programs that offer course work that does not fit the personal beliefs of legislators become fair game for these tactics. As faculty we want to take a public stance that clearly asserts our right and society's need for a university environment that supports open dialogue about ideas that shape our future and decry personal intimidation or institutional extortion as a legitimate strategy to silence those positions differing from our own.

We continue to support faculty efforts to provide students with information that fits with our school's mission and empowers students to make informed decisions about their lives.

Signed:

Sandy Beverly, assistant professor

Ed Canda, professor

Rosemary Chapin, professor

Catherine Crisp, assistant professor

Goody Garfield, associate professor

Scott Harding, assistant professor

Helen Hartnett, assistant professor

Steve Kapp, associate professor

Jim Kreider, teaching associate

Holly Nelson-Becker, assistant professor

Deb Page-Adams, associate professor

Jean Peterson, associate professor

Chris Petr, professor

Judy Postmus, assistant professor

Allan Press, associate professor

Charlie Rapp, professor

Dennis Saleebey, professor

Ed Scanlon, assistant professor

Margaret Severson, associate professor

Rick Spano, associate dean for academic programs and associate professor

Ann Weick, dean and professor

• Post your comments • Senator broadens attack on professor • Students defend course on 'The O'Reilly Factor' • FoxNews host grills students about sex ed instruction methods • 6News video: Supporters of Dennis Dailey's class defend their professor • KU sex ed class students to appear tonight on 'O'Reilly Factor' • Senator plans to watch videos from KU sex class • Senator changes sex-class strategy • 6News video: Sen. Wagle cannot overturn veto • Students jeer about Wagle's opposition class on Fox (4-30-03) • 6News video: Battle over KU sex class hits national stage • Wagle tells TV's O'Reilly that KU class offers porn • Senator Wagle's letter requesting information about the KU sex ed class • Reader Reaction: OPP to organize virtual march on the governor May 11 • More stories and video reports • Sen. Mark Buhler, R-Lawrence, speaks about the flap over the sex class.