Nominations for Marylhurst University's Excellence in Academic Service and Teaching
Award are submitted by students and colleagues. The Faculty Development Committee
reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the provost.
The university received 11 nominations in support of nine faculty members for the
2012 Excellence in Teaching awards.
Here are this year's award recipients, each of whom richly deserves this recognition:
Susan Carter, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
Dr. Susan G. Carter is the interim chair of the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies Department.
She has been teaching at Marylhurst University for six years. Some of the courses
she teaches are Compassion in Action: Service Learning Seminar, Research Methods and
Thesis Writing, and a variety of courses in world spiritual traditions. Dr. Carter
develops courses with action, experiential and community engagement components, which
are structured to expand the dynamic possibilities of academic studies, cross-cultural
understanding, and collaborative community social change work. She is published and
speaks internationally on these topics.
The nominating student says: "Professor Carter has to shape her teaching style to
work with a diverse group of students from a multitude of academic, professional and
even a few regimented military backgrounds. Her natural ability to find individual
strengths amongst each of us encourages us to continue to try to achieve our best
in becoming better educated and more effective at critical thinking. She represents
the epitome of a professional educator in this facet amongst numerous other professional
qualities that she possesses."
David Scott Arnold, Religious Studies
Dr. David Scott Arnold teaches in the religious studies, cultural studies, and Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary
Studies departments. He has taught at Marylhurst University for 18 years. Some courses
he teaches are Comparative Religion, Western Religious Thought and History, and Ghost
Stories. He has received three National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships,
and he is author of Liminal Readings: Forms of Otherness in Melville, Joyce and Murdoch.
This is the second time the university has awarded him an Excellence in Teaching Award.
The nominating student says: "David Arnold is quite simply one of the best teachers
I've ever experienced. He has the knack of engaging a disparate group of students
in seminar discussions, always valuing each of our thoughts. He is masterful on expanding
ideas, bringing many other texts and relevant reading material into the discussions.
He presents complex ideas and connections in ways which students at all levels can
understand and enjoy."
Greg Dardis, Science and Mathematics
Greg Dardis is the interim chair of the science and mathematics department. He teaches, among
other classes, Human Anatomy, Principles of Environmental Science, and Society and
Science. He has worked at Marylhurst University for eight years.
The nominating student says: "Greg had a way of making a four hour anatomy class (on
a Friday afternoon) become the highlight of my school week. His energy, enthusiasm
and great sense of humor kept the class engaged and made it a safe place to ask questions.
Greg was always so excited about every lecture. You just couldn't help getting excited
right along with him, and I feel that this is the way in which I learn best."
Past Recipients
2011
Christine Turner, Art Therapy Counseling
Louise Neilson, Communication Studies
Simeon Dreyfuss, Interdisciplinary Studies
Duane Gehlsen, Human Sciences
2010
Eileen Mejia, Communications
Perrin Kerns, English Literature and Writing
Michael Hohn, Business
Lisa Jo Frech, Science and Math
2009
Leon Abbott, Business & Management, Accelerated Online Program
Sheila O'Connell-Roussell, Religious Studies
Emily Ross, Music Therapy
Sarah Slayton, Art Therapy Counseling
2008
Herb Long, Human Sciences
Jennifer Sasser, Chair, Human Sciences
Eileen Franzese Schiffer, MBA
Elizabeth Spurgeon, Interior Design
2007
Elaine Bagley, Art Therapy
Jan Dabrowski, Science & Mathematics
John Haek, Music
Ger Killeen, Cultural & Historical Studies
2006
Andy Job, Business & Leadership
Masoud Kheirabadi, Cultural & Historical Studies
Jay Ponteri, English Literature & Writing
Cheryl Schneidermann, Interior Design
2005
Greg Crosby, Psychology
Libby Farr, Interior Design
Paul Gilbarg, Business & Leadership
Peter Whitmore, Music
2004
Ann Hill, Math
Marian Pierce, English Literature & Writing
Margaret Shirley, Art
2003
Faith Chalmers, Liberal Arts Core
Dennis Cunningham, Art
Annette Shore, Art Therapy
2002
Sr. Magdalen Fautch, Music
Larry Hanson, Science & Mathematics
2001
Lisa Davidson, Communication Studies
Cecilia Ranger, Religious Studies
2000
Art Bridge, Religious Studies
Aliza Keddem, Human Sciences
Pierina Parise, Library Information Management
Susanne Stegmiller, Life Planning & Career Development
1999
David Arnold, Interdisciplinary Studies (MA)
Herb Long, Human Studies
Patricia Meyers, Religious Studies
Rich Rollins, Art
.