Distinguished Teaching Awards
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The Office of Academic Affairs and the Center on Diversity and Community are pleased to announce
The Ersted Distinguished Teaching Award Series.
Each year, the University of Oregon awards crystal apples -- symbols of teaching excellence -- to three of its top teachers. The Thomas F. Herman Award is given to faculty members who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching at the university. The Ersted Award recognizes excellence in teaching by faculty members early in their teaching careers. Winners of each award are chosen on the recommendation of faculty members and students. The awards are supported by endowment funds and each of the faculty members receive a $2,000 stipend added to their salary base. University President Richard Lariviere surprises each of the award winners with a personal visit to their class to deliver the crystal apples and announce their award. Recipients are also recognized at spring commencement. (Please note: Graduate Teaching Fellows have their own teaching awards and are not eligible for these teaching awards.)
Eligibility for Awards
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Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching
The late Mr. A. J. Ersted established the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching so the University of Oregon could annually honor faculty members “who have taught comparatively short periods and have demonstrated exceptional abilities to induce students to reason and not merely memorize.” The Ersted Award is presented only to faculty who are early in their teaching careers (and who have taught at the UO at least two years). This teaching may occur at the undergraduate or graduate level. |
Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award
for Distinguished Teaching This award honors senior faculty members who have achieved outstanding records as teachers. The Thomas F. Herman Award is presented only to faculty members who have had academic rank at the University of Oregon for at least seven years, and who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching and have contributed significantly to student learning at the undergraduate or graduate level. |
THE 2009 NOMINATION PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED. LOOK FOR NEXT YEAR'S NOMINATION PROCESS IN JANUARY 2010.
2008 -2009 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients
Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching
Alan W. Dickman, Research Associate Professor and Senior Instructor
Department of Biology
Director, Environmental Studies Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Students, graduate teaching fellows, and faculty are often heard singing praises for professor Alan W. Dickman's teaching skills. Whether teaching large, general biology classes, specialized forest biology classes, or leading class field trips, Professor Dickman's students see him as inspiring, passionate, and challenging. One student commented, "This class has changed the path of my life", and an alumni recalled that Alan was his favorite UO professor. Students greatly appreciate the extra effort Professor Dickman puts into field trips, and feel these are an important part of their learning experience; "[the field trips] allowed us to apply what we learned in the classroom to the real world". In the classroom Alan incorporates relevant and current media, and creates a dynamic environment in which students engage in give and take dialogue of questions and answers. Regardless of class size, Alan dedicates himself to optimizing students' learning experience both inside and outside of the classroom.
New instructors and graduate teaching fellows frequently seek Alan's expertise as a master teaching resource for their own teaching development. Professor Dickman regularly participates in Teaching Effectiveness Program events to continue nurturing his passion for teaching. And although an experienced teacher who has taught for years, Alan he is always open to feedback, suggestions, and critical evaluation. As program director for the Environmental Studies Program, Professor Dickman extends his considerable curricular design skills to the program level, affecting student learning on an even larger scale. Professor Dickman is a creative, thoughtful, and passionate teacher, and in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to student learning, Alan Dickman is a 2009 recipient of the Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Scott Coltrane, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Michael Dreiling, 2009 Award Recipient; UO President Dave Frohnmayer; Alan W. Dickman, 2009 Award Recipient; Larry Singell, Associate Dean, Social Sciences, CAS
Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching
Michael Dreiling, Associate Professor
Department of Sociology
College of Arts and Sciences
Sociology Professor Michael Dreiling exemplifies the kind of teacher who changes people's lives. Even in classes with very large enrollments, Professor Dreiling's engaged and passionate teaching inspires his students. One commented that, "This is the best class I have ever taken. I learned more about myself, the world, and how to apply what I want to do with my life through this course." Another student, after studying the tragedy of debt slavery in the modern world, tracked down an organization that fights debt slavery and pledged a monthly contribution.
Professor Dreiling spurs students to both contemplation and action. His course syllabi are detailed and analytical; they demand engagement from students and call for active participation in and out of the classroom. In his upper-division and graduate course on Nonviolent Social Change, one student responded, "I have learned new tools for communicating with people and I have gained a new hope for the future....It has been an inspiring education."
In addition to teaching large undergraduate courses, Michael is one of the most respected and popular faculty members in the department's graduate program. One graduate student explained, [professor Dreiling's] "graduate instruction and mentorship is exemplary. I'm actually not sure I would have made it past the second year of the graduate program were it not for him. He inspired creativity in me while directing me in rigorous social science methodologies." Enthusiastic comments about professor Dreiling come routinely from current and former graduate students on whose dissertation and comprehensive examination committees he has served.
For his sustained record of dedication, his passion and skill as a teacher at all levels, Michael Dreiling is a recipient of the 2009 Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching.
University President Dave Frohmnayer surprises David Dusseau in front of his class.
Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching
David T. Dusseau, Donald A. Tykeson Senior Instructor of Business
Department of Management
Charles H. Lundquist College of Business
David T. Dusseau has a stellar reputation in the Lundquist College of Business where his teaching success is legendary. He typically teaches large enrollment sections of Introduction to Business where he achieves remarkable student outcomes. Students enthusiastically note that Professor Dusseau is an exceptional teacher that makes class an enjoyable learning environment - they consistently rate him high on both enthusiasm and class rapport as he expertly manages to make large classes a highly personal, intimate learning experience.
Particularly impressive is professor Dusseau's innovation in the classroom. He introduced experiential learning through a computer simulation where students must make strategic decisions for their fictional business firms and compete with others in their industry. The simulation involves each student in the broad variety of managerial decisions which determine results for their business firm and the industry. Students of all backgrounds find such course creativity an extremely effective way to be introduction to the business environment. One student commented, "Dave is able to effectively impact a huge number of people at once with the wealth of a foundational understanding of business." Another student notes, "I learned a phenomenal amount and I am grateful such a course is offered at the University of Oregon."
In recognition of his long standing excellence in teaching and inspired classroom innovation, David T. Dusseau is a recipient of the 2009 Thomas F. Herman Award Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching.
2007-2008 Distinguished Teaching Award Winners
Peter Mills, a professor of business management, receives a Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching from UO President Dave Frohnmayer
Mills is recognized for his ability to prepare students for the realities of the business world. "Peter Mills' rigor and brilliance in the classroom serves as an exemplar for his colleagues," said Frohnmayer. "He expects his students to use critical thought and analysis both in and out of the classroom." Students appreciate the challenge of the courses as well as Mills' effective and interactive teaching style. A consistent theme in student evaluations of Mills is that students feel significantly more prepared for the challenges they will face in business after taking his class.
Dennis Galvan, an associate professor of international
studies and political science, received a Thomas F.
Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished
Teaching.
Galvan's enthusiasm for teaching marks all of his courses.
"Dennis Galvan excels as a classroom teacher, a student
mentor and academic scholar," said Frohnmayer. "He
accomplishes what few others can by creating an
atmosphere of engagement no matter the class size."
Galvan's students say that he is able to make large lecture
classes feel like small, intimate sessions." Many of them say
that Galvan's classes are the best they've taken while at the
UO.
Susan Dawson Verscheure, an instructor in human physiology, received the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching.
"Susan Verscheure's ability to engage and enlighten students in the classroom is exceptional and complements her other academic accomplishments," said Frohnmayer. "Her devotion to teaching is reflected not only in student reviews and in the praise of her colleagues, but in her innovative development of teaching materials." Verscheure is the author of two laboratory manuals and has developed an effective way to teach human anatomy based on the External Brain project, which requires students to create books tailored to their learning styles. The books are augmented with extensive illustrations and descriptions of the pertinent anatomy, which are prepared by Verscheure.
For a list of all Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients please visit the link below...
Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients
