Wade Hescht talks to some of his students. Photo by Jerry Baker.

By VALERIE SWEETEN
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT

Wade Hescht, professor of Speech at Lone Star College-North Harris, found himself the recipient of an award for his hard work and devotion to the forensics department.

Hescht, a Heights-area resident, received the Texas Speech Communication Association's Community College Educator of the Year award on Oct. 9.

The award is given annually to distinguished speech communication educators of notable professional contributions.

He has received a total of eight awards during a 10-year period that includes Texas Intercollegiate Forensics Association's Educator of the Year in 2008, Phi Rho Pi's Service Award in 2005 and Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 1998 and 2002.

Students and colleagues find Hescht to be a dedicated and encouraging mentor, teacher and coach in classes and speech competitions.

Sarah Contreras, assistant professor of speech at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, met Hescht in 1997 through college speech competitions.

She said it's evident that his students “adore him.”

Contreras said Hescht's strengths lie in motivating students to finish their education at the bachelor's and master's degree level.

“Wade is extremely creative and completely selfless as a teacher and coach,” Contreras said. “He instills in his students a balance of maturity and respect for their craft while still allowing them to have fun, and they love him for that.”

Ava Love, a former member of the forensics team, came to Hescht as a student completely new to the world of speech and debate.

She credits Hescht for his diligent instruction and support for her success while on the team.

“He works hours that are above and beyond the call of duty to attend tournaments, coaching sessions, or meet with a student in need of guidance,” Love said. “It's this kindness and dedication that draws students to Wade long after he is no longer their professor. He is a teacher, mentor and friend.”

Hescht, a native Houstonian, was raised as in a family of all boys. His mother, Pat Anderson, was a secretary, and father, William Hescht, worked as a factory worker.

It was at the age of 14 that Hescht met his primary influence, Karen Stewart, a teacher at Teague Middle School in Humble.

Stewart's statement of “God is in the details. Start with the basics and move from there,” stuck with Hescht as he began his own teaching career.

“This is something I stress with my students on a daily basis,” Hescht said. “The secret is this. If you word hard and never give up, you will reach your goals. This is what she taught me. I hope I share that with all my students.”

He drew many lessons from Stewart such as being a model and helping students find the tools within themselves to succeed.

“Thanks to Karen, I better understand my role,” Hescht said. “I take pride in my involvement in their education. My job is to give my students a basis on which to build on, and then provide them with as many opportunities as possible.”

After graduating from Nimitz High School in 1986, Hescht completed his bachelor's degree in theater from the University of St. Thomas.

In 1992, Hescht, who was the first in his family to graduate from college, received his master's degree in theater at the University of Houston.

Hescht went on to complete 18 hours of graduate work at the University of Houston toward a master's degree in speech communications and began his teaching career.

In 1994, Hescht became at adjunct professor at Lone Star College-North Harris and became a full-time instructor teaching public speaking, interpersonal communication and introduction to speech communications in 1995.

In this 14-year period, Hescht has been named chair of the speech/drama/humanities department and director of forensics.

Hescht enjoys showcasing the talents of his students.

He has taken the school's forensic team to the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament, American Forensic Association's National Individual Events Tournament, American Reader's Theater's Association and the Texas Community College Speech and Theatre Association with much success.

“I tell them when they get on these teams to have fun,” Hescht said. “My job is to get their toes in the water and be a mentor.

“My favorite part of this job is just watching them figure it out and grow dramatically. I keep in touch with a lot of my students after they leave.”