The Observer, February 22, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 18
USG organizes awards event for outstanding faculty
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With Hollywood's own annual awards season raging, Case is engaging in its own version of the Academy Awards. Accepting nominations now, the annual Undergraduate Student Government Teaching Excellence Awards honor those professors students find particularly inspiring and motivating.
While the university presents other awards to professors and faculty on campus, the USG Teaching Excellence Awards are unique in that they are "solely organized for students by students," said USG president Adam Rupe. These awards exclusively honor undergraduate faculty who make significant contributions to academic life.
"These are tangible examples of students expressing support of good teaching," said Colleen Barker-Williamson, director of Thwing Center for Programs and Leadership.
"The awards are also designed to be an outreach to students, encouraging them to step back to appreciate the energy faculty bring to the classroom," said David Poerschke, vice president of Academic Affairs in USG. "We hope students will personally thank those who make a difference in their lives."
For over 10 years, USG has presented these teaching awards to a professor from each of the four undergraduate schools and colleges. USG Academic Affairs committee recognized that other awards on campus often recognize the same professors or groups. This year, the awards "are focused on specific qualities that foster a learning environment. Four awards will be given to faculty to recognize the extra mile outside the classroom, outstanding SAGES activities, as well as faculty who inspire students or can effectively engage students in the subject matter," said Poerschke. "A fifth award will be given for an outstanding educational program sponsored by a campus office."
The "Extra Mile Outside the Classroom" award will be granted to a professor whose dedication to student learning goes above and beyond the normal commitment. This professor may schedule numerous office hours, attend supplemental instruction sessions to answer questions, or just provide exceptional supplemental resources in addition to coursework.
The "Outstanding SAGES Activity" award will be given to an instructor of a freshman-only first seminar who creates and organizes engaging and original fourth-hour activities for students.
"The experience which the students brought away from the program should have been memorable and stimulating, and should have lent them a better understanding of what the Cleveland area has to offer," according to the USG website.
One special campus office will also be awarded with the "Best Educational Program Organized by a Campus Office" award. This award will be given to an office that has sponsored an activity or presentation of particular significance to the Case community. The award encompasses purely educational events as well as those contributing to the student life at Case.
The "Inspiring Professor" award will be given to an instructor who displays unrivaled enthusiasm in the classroom. Students should leave the classroom with an increased appetite for knowledge in the subject matter.
Finally, the "Engaging Lectures" award will go to a professor who teaches in an innovative and highly entertaining way.
The USG website describes the winner of this award to have fostered an atmosphere in which "even students who are simply required, but not eager, to take the course look forward to attending class because of the out-of-the-ordinary or energizing methods the professor implements in order to convey the material."
In explaining why the USG Teaching Excellence Awards are particularly significant, Rupe said, "Faculty only get these awards if students feel they deserve them; there [are] not university politics involved, just a straightforward nod from the students to the particular faculty for their ability to be a researcher, but more importantly a teacher and mentor."
USG is currently seeking nominations for each of these five categories and will continue to accept nominations until midnight on Sunday, March 2. Nominations can be made at usg.case.edu.
A reception in late March will recognize the nominees and announce the winners in each category.
"The awards will be primarily honorary in nature accompanied by a small token of appreciation," said Poerschke.
