WATERVILLE — Colby College is saying goodbye to a fixture since 1950 at the liberal arts school, English Professor R. Mark Benbow. To the applause of students, Benbow gave his final lecture on Shakespeare on Friday.

Although his career has included many scholarly awards and fellowships, Benbow is best known on campus for his sometimes-intimidating presence in the classroom and his rigorous standards.

“You’d expect indifference from a professor who has been here this long and knows this much, but you don’t get it,” said Carol Lockwood, a senior from Kailua, Hawaii.

However, Lockwood admitted that it took her an entire semester to muster enough courage to ask Benbow a question. She said afterward she was surprised at how approachable he was.

Friday’s class ended in applause before a student burst into the room carrying a robe and crown for the popular teacher.

Benbow was escorted to the faculty lounge, where he played the part of King Lear in a 10-minute reading.