	Wendorf began his academic career in the English department at Northwestern University: as assistant professor (1976–1981), associate professor (1981–1985), and professor (1985–1989). In 1985 he was also made a professor of art history. He served for four years as the associate dean for undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern (1984–1988) and was awarded a Distinguished Teaching Prize in 1978.