Spring Break
Shaking things up during class
Dawn Wright is named Oregon Professor of Year for undergraduate teaching
Nick Ngo
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Sitting in her office with her dog running around, Dawn Wright has mixed emotions. She feels surprised, humbled and extremely honored that she was named Oregon's Professor of the Year.
"It's a neat award that they set up," said Wright, a professor in geosciences. "I'm extremely honored to be singled out that way for Oregon."
Wright received the award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, as well as the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching."It doesn't really surprise us, she's been nominated for teaching awards before," said Roger Nielsen, the department chair of geosciences.
"She teaches a whole variety of courses - from introductory level up to graduate level. She teaches courses that [cover] the whole [aspect] of educational experiences for our students."
Nielsen said Wright advises graduate students and helps out with their distance education program.
"She's one of the pioneers in the creation of the GIS program, which has over 100 students," Nielsen said.
Despite the nomination, Wright still looks up to a lot of faculty members on campus.
"I never thought of myself as one being singled out that way," Wright said. "I feel I'm still learning a lot. There are many faculty members who have inspired me over the years and who I have tried to emulate."
Observing Aaron Wolf, a professor in geosciences, Wright learned the value of consistently asking many quick and probing questions during a lecture in order to keep students engaged and thinking.
"I have been inspired by professor Elizabeth Sulzman, in crop and soil science, especially the games and activities that she used in her classes, even with hundreds of students," Wright said.
"In fact, I'd like to dedicate my award in part to her memory [Sulzman passed away this summer]."
With the award, Wright feels that she has done something right. To her, teaching is a never ending learning process.
"It's a neat award that they set up," said Wright, a professor in geosciences. "I'm extremely honored to be singled out that way for Oregon."
Wright received the award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, as well as the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching."It doesn't really surprise us, she's been nominated for teaching awards before," said Roger Nielsen, the department chair of geosciences.
"She teaches a whole variety of courses - from introductory level up to graduate level. She teaches courses that [cover] the whole [aspect] of educational experiences for our students."
Nielsen said Wright advises graduate students and helps out with their distance education program.
"She's one of the pioneers in the creation of the GIS program, which has over 100 students," Nielsen said.
Despite the nomination, Wright still looks up to a lot of faculty members on campus.
"I never thought of myself as one being singled out that way," Wright said. "I feel I'm still learning a lot. There are many faculty members who have inspired me over the years and who I have tried to emulate."
Observing Aaron Wolf, a professor in geosciences, Wright learned the value of consistently asking many quick and probing questions during a lecture in order to keep students engaged and thinking.
"I have been inspired by professor Elizabeth Sulzman, in crop and soil science, especially the games and activities that she used in her classes, even with hundreds of students," Wright said.
"In fact, I'd like to dedicate my award in part to her memory [Sulzman passed away this summer]."
With the award, Wright feels that she has done something right. To her, teaching is a never ending learning process.
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