The annual Teaching Excellence Award granted by the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will be presented to two individual recipients and one academic department Nov. 6.
David Giroux, UW System spokesperson, said the award is one of the greatest ways the Board of Regents can honor and recognize the teaching accomplishments of UW faculty and instructors, providing them with $5,000 to further their studies.
This year, the regents selected Nate Splett, associate dean of the College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences and professor of Agricultural Economics at UW-River Falls, Douglas Heil, professor of communications at UW-Oshkosh, and the entire Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at UW-Stout.
“We only have a certain number of awards to give, but it was a fun process to be a part of because it allows the regents to hear a perspective on the teaching that happens at our institutions and understand how very impactful the professors are on the lives of the students,” UW student regent Colleene Thomas said.
Thomas said the candidates for 2008 represented a diverse set of disciplines, and though it was difficult to decide who the best educators were, it became clear the programs and teachers chosen really made a tremendous difference to the students, faculty and their university.
Chris Bendel, chair of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at UW-Stout, said the entire department thought the award was a great honor and they intend to keep focusing on ways to further improve their teaching.
“We are going to try our best to be even better and keep doing the things that we have been doing,” Bendel said. “We are going to look for more ways to collaborate with colleagues and students.”
Doug Mell, a UW-Stout spokesperson, praised the group of mathematicians, adding they are always searching for new and innovative ways to teach. The department has been used as a model around the UW System to help students who may need additional assistance.
“Since 2004, UW-Stout has offered the Math Teaching and Learning Center, intended to help students who may need some remedial help with introductory and intermediate math courses. Since this project, we have reduced our failure and withdrawal rate considerably,” Mell said.
In reference to the accomplishments of Splett, Thomas said he has done an excellent job making economics relevant to students who might not generally be attracted to the subject.
“He makes it interesting and approachable, which is certainly a gift,” Thomas said.
In an e-mail, Heil said he plans to initiate a new book that demonstrates the ways people unconsciously raise or lower their standards in different social situations, using improv comedy theories. He also said he hopes to use the compensation from the award to support one of his creative projects.
“I feel very honored to be a recipient of this recognition,” Heil added. “I received the most wonderful support imaginable from my colleagues, administration, and my former students, and that support will sustain me for a long, long time.”
Thomas added each of the candidates has made what is possibly a life-changing difference to the students, and it is a shame they cannot honor more individuals.