Outstanding UO faculty members receive teaching awards, salary increases

Peter Mills (right), a professor of business management, receives a Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching from UO President Dave Frohnmayer (left). Susan Dawson Verscheure, an instructor in human physiology, and Dennis Galvan, an associate professor of international studies and political science, were also honored with awards on Tuesday.

EUGENE -- (May 13, 2008) -- The University of Oregon awarded crystal apples -- symbols of teaching excellence -- to three of its top teachers on Tuesday. Each of the faculty members will receive a $2,000 stipend added to their salary base.

University President Dave Frohnmayer dropped in on the award winners to deliver the crystal apples personally.

Susan Dawson Verscheure, an instructor in human physiology, received the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching. Dennis Galvan, an associate professor of international studies and political science, and Peter Mills, a professor of business management, each received a Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching.

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.

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.

Dennis Galvan, an associate professor of international studies and political science, received a Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Meanwhile, 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.

The Ersted award recognizes excellence in teaching by faculty members early in their teaching careers. The Thomas F. Herman Award is given to faculty members who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching at the university. Winners of each award are chosen on the recommendation of faculty members and students. The awards are supported by endowment funds.

Teaching award recipients will be recognized at spring commencement.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Pauline Austin, 541-346-3129, paustin@uoregon.edu

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