Central Michigan University

CMU honors seven faculty members with teaching excellence and distinguished service awards

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Topics in this story: Awards, Biology, College of Communication and Fine Arts, College of Education and Human Services, College of Science and Technology, Counseling and Special Education, Education and schools, Educational Leadership, School of Music

Quality teaching and sustained service are core components that help to create the foundation of educational excellence that Central Michigan University recognizes in its faculty members.

Five faculty members have been selected to receive this year's Excellence in Teaching Award, and two have been honored with Faculty Distinguished Service Awards.

A committee of faculty members and students selected the recipients of CMU's Excellence in Teaching Awards based on student evaluation scores, course information, and student and peer letters. The recipients, who will be honored at commencement ceremonies this May, include:

• Pamela Eddy, educational leadership
• Joan Hornak, counseling and special education
• John Nichol, School of Music
• Andrew Scott McNaught, biology
• Daniel Steele, School of Music

Eddy was recognized for her variety of teaching strategies and consistent availability to help students. Nominators' comments about her included:"Her willingness to listen to her students and draw on their strengths served as an avenue for designing lessons that related to her students."

Another nominator wrote: "She is attuned to different learning styles and needs and accommodates them accordingly using a wide range of instructional strategies and techniques. She is an extremely enthusiastic instructor whose passion for teaching and learning brings out the best in her students."

Hornak was honored for her professional attitude, respect for students, and organized and realistic goals in the classroom. Nominators' comments included:

"Respect is without a doubt observed and felt in and out of the classroom. Students have often commented on how she treats students as professionals and respects their perspective in classroom discussions."

Another nominator wrote: "She is masterful both as an instructor and a practitioner and has a reputation amongst students and the community as a person of excellent character and dedication to assisting others."

Nichol was recognized for his enthusiasm, encouragement and dedication to his students. Nominators' comments included:

"He has very high standards and this is accepted by the students in a very positive manner because of his methods of delivery."

Another nominator stated: "I know of no one else in our department or school that is more organized. He is a natural teacher who uses every teaching aid at his disposal and delivers the material flawlessly."

McNaught was honored for his attitude, organization and ability to elaborate on difficult learning material. Some of his nominators made these comments:

"He is incredibly enthusiastic when it comes to teaching, whether he is instructing a general course or an upper-level graduate course."

Another nominator wrote: "He has an uncanny ability to convey and explain challenging material effectively in the classroom."

Steele was honored for his hands-on learning technique, enthusiasm and knowledge in the classroom. Nominators' comments included:

"His ability to help students grasp information is unmatched; he is a master communicator which makes the learning process enjoyable and productive.

Another nominator wrote: "He provides students with very imaginative learning tools and materials and uses many 'hands-on' devices to facilitate learning in his classroom. He always has time for students, even if he is busy, and when students have problems, he always discusses the situation to work out solutions."

The Distinguished Service Award was created in 2002 to honor faculty with a record of sustained service to the university. A committee of past service award winners selected two recipients based on the impact, quality, recognition, value and amount of service performed. These recipients were honored at the Faculty Excellence Exhibition award ceremony March 19.

Roger Hatch, professor of philosophy and religion, has displayed exemplary service to the university in terms of social justice for more than 30 years.

Since his arrival to CMU in 1976, Hatch has served on more than 100 committees. His service on the Academic Senate for 13 years included one year of duty as chair of the senate and six years on the senate executive board.

Throughout his years, Hatch has held a number of leadership roles within the faculty association and served on several committees dedicated to education, honors and curriculum, including the position of department chair for 13 years.

Jim Jones, professor of foreign languages, literatures and cultures, has served the university through leadership and diversity for 20 years.

He has served as director of the office of gay and lesbian programs, chair of the Academic Senate and chair of his department. Jones also served 11 years on the Academic Senate and 10 years as the adviser for Delta Phi Alpha, a German honor society.

Jones is an advocate and a voice for diversity on CMU's campus and is regularly sought out as a speaker in the area of gay and lesbian issues. He also has served on numerous committees advocating for diversity and inclusion at CMU.