Three named 'distinguished teachers', to be honoured at June convocation

with notes from Verna Keller, TRACE office

Three winners of the Distinguished Teacher Awards for this year were announced at the March meeting of UW senate.

Provost Amit Chakma reported the winners' names on behalf of the selection committee, which he chairs. The DTA winners will be honoured at June convocation.

Brent Hall

Brent Hall, a professor in the School of Planning, also holds the position of associate dean of computing in the faculty of environmental studies and is cross-appointed to the department of geography.

His enthusiasm for geographic information systems (GIS) has helped students develop a passion for this technology and its many applications. He demonstrates how GIS is intertwined with mathematics, geography, and computer science.

Interactivity and feedback play an integral role in both Hall's course management and marking. Students report that "Dr. Hall has a unique ability to show the value of the subject matter, in a manner that relates to current industry trends and developments." Classroom interaction is encouraged through presentations, discussions and questions asked of students. Through his excitement and enthusiasm, he brings a dimension to the classroom that cannot be experienced through a textbook. Students report that "when marking assignments, Dr. Hall offers constructive, relevant feedback. It is apparent that he spends the time to thoroughly read, and offer opinions relating to needs for improvement, or related topics."

Hall takes a personal interest in his students' professional development. His dedication to his students does not stop at the classroom door. He has assisted many students in attaining positions in the geomatics industry and post-graduate studies through his many contacts and references. His outstanding qualities as a teacher include his intense interest in his students as individuals, the extraordinary example he sets of energy and productivity in academic pursuits, his outstanding skills for conveying and presenting complex concepts with exceptional clarity, and the manner in which he instills in his students a sense that they must have high expectations of themselves.

Richard Nutbrown

Richard Nutbrown, an assistant professor in the department of political science, has taught the department's large introductory course for many years. His third- and fourth-year courses have traditionally attracted the largest number of students in comparison with any of the senior-level courses in the department.

Nutbrown has been cross-appointed with philosophy for at least 10 years, where he has been extremely helpful to the philosophy graduate students. A colleague notes that "his work as a graduate supervisor at the MA and PhD levels (in various disciplines) is legendary in terms of numbers of students supervised and the quality of the supervision."

Students' interest in the study of political science is heavily influenced by his introductory course which challenges as well as motivates them. His lecture style is enlightening and interactive. He challenges his students and in so doing creates an atmosphere in which they can develop to their full potential. His approachable manner and genuine concern for the students in the department made him a superb undergraduate advisor.

Students report that "Professor Nutbrown's teaching style is perfect. He captures you, educates you, enlightens you and is never intimidating. He makes the huge class seem small, personal and interactive." He is also very active in student events in the department.

Nutbrown stimulates and encourages his students and provides them with a very high quality of education. A colleague reports that "he combines scholarly excellence and keen intelligence with great personal warmth and has willingly taken on extra workloads in order to accommodate his students' academic needs."

Thomas Yoder Neufeld

Thomas Yoder Neufeld, associate professor of religious studies at Conrad Grebel University College, is also director of graduate theological studies at Conrad Grebel.

A colleague reports that Yoder Neufeld "has obviously established a reputation as a fine teacher, not only to undergraduate students taking religious studies and peace and conflict studies classes, but also as a mentor and teacher of graduate students in Conrad Grebel's Master of Theological Studies program."

He is generous with his time in advising and guiding young and older students interested in pursuing graduate studies in theology.

Yoder Neufeld is "articulate, charismatic, passionate, and engaging in his teaching." A colleague writes that he has a "very sharp mind with a great gift for the provocative and illuminative use of metaphors." A student notes that he "not only is theatrical in his style of delivery but also seems to be energized rather than deflated as the three-hour evening class proceeds."

His teaching style is also well received by distance education students through RS 206 (Jesus: Life and Legacy). This course has been offered through the distance education office for the past 14 terms. Student evaluations are positive and enthusiastic noting how well the course is organized and that it is presented in an understanding and stimulating manner.

Yoder Neufeld is sensitive to the diversity of perspectives and interpretations that the students bring to religious texts, issues, and phenomena. One student writes "He has opened and dispelled opinions I have subconsciously held and changed my blockages and possible biases to a broader and more generous understanding of equally valuable perspectives." His gifts of interpretation, analysis, and communication seen in the classroom carry through into the community as a resource to churches and organizations within the Mennonite constituency.