Lew is widely recognized as a superior teacher, and was honored in 1991 with the University's Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award. In 1979 he created the theater seminar for the Summer Honors Program – a popular summer theater workshop for high school students who have finished their sophomore or junior year. Lew also directs on a regular basis and has developed a reputation as a fine actor. He has appeared at Indiana Theaterworks and has played the Kennedy Center.