I had the great privilege of dining with Fr. James Schall, S.J., prior to his departure from Georgetown. The dinner featured several graduating government majors who enjoyed Schall’s classes as well as Fr. Stephen Fields, S.J., recipient of the 2013 Dorothy Brown Award, which is presented to an outstanding faculty member nominated by students.

I distinctly remember expressing my regret to Schall that I hadn’t taken a class with him. He replied with his quick wit, “Just keep taking Fields, and you still may learn something.”

That may be the understatement of 2013.

It is rare to see a professor gain a large following when he does not teach in 300-person lecture halls, and frankly it is even harder when the professor teaches a maximum class size of 35 students in the theology department. Clearly, however, Fields has achieved this near-impossible feat.

Fields’ teaching style is what makes him Georgetown’s best professor of this year. He embodies a certain charisma that few could ever possess and an intellect that even fewer are fortunate to have.

Each time I walk into one of his classes, I know I will leave mentally exhausted from — as he would say — “reaching the limits of human reason.” However, arriving at reason’s limits, as Fields knows all too well, requires the Socratic model rather than a monologue.

The point of the human person, as Fields taught me in his course “Newman: the Catholic Way,” is to “relentlessly pursue truth.” How can one go about this pursuit? Fields points to Socrates, who pursued truth by asking questions.

Vague opinions are insufficient in a Fields class. He requires his students to make arguments using recta ratio or right reason. He requires his students to explain why their claims are “good,” “true” and “authentically beautiful.” He requires his students to be normative.

Students love Fields because he treats us like the intelligent adults that our Georgetown education helps us become. In Field’s class, arguments are not accepted as fact; rather, the student must engage with them, question them and — by virtue of these dialogues — discover truth.

But Fields’ investment in students goes far beyond just using the Socratic method and emphasizing normative questions.

Last October I mentioned in passing to Fields that my parents were coming to visit. I never would have expected his response: “Chris, would you and your parents like to have lunch with me at the Jesuit residence?”

This type of kindness and generosity is characteristic of Fields. Many of his students have similar stories. His office door has always been open for me, and I know it always will be for anyone who needs his compassionate smile or words of comfort.

I cannot leave Fields’ easygoing sense of humor out of this portrait. From his array of impressions and accents to his self-deprecation, there is never a dull moment with Fields — in or out of the classroom. He often jokes that he is a “museum piece” that Georgetown will ship down to the Museum of Natural History, because he is resistant to such modern marvels and educational necessities as the PowerPoint and iclicker.

I would not be painting a full picture of this man if I did not discuss the ease with which he fills the spiritual needs of Georgetown students. Fields’ work as the Knights of Columbus chaplain has been exceptional. His availability for Mass, Eucharistic adoration, retreats and spiritual direction has truly benefited the Knights council. Fields also celebrates the extraordinary form of the Mass frequently for Catholic students who prefer it.

Fields has had a profound impact on my development as a student, a Catholic and as a moral being. Last Friday, my mentor, professor and chaplain, Fields, received the Dorothy Brown Award for his “strong commitment to the educational advancement of students.” This is a long-deserved honor for a Jesuit who has devoted his last 20 years to the education of Georgetown students.

On the behalf of so many, from the bottom of our hearts, congratulations, Fr. Fields, and thank you for making a profound impact on “swift Potomac’s lovely daughter.”

Christopher Cannataro is a sophomore in the McDonough School of Business.