Excellence in Teaching

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.

2008 Recipients

Herb Long, Human Sciences

"Everything he asks students to do is intentional and highly designed, though from the student perspective it feels spontaneous and relaxed. I've never known anyone who connected the highly abstract and theoretical with the profoundly embodied and practical. A lot of the ideas Herb teaches are pretty philosophical, but he always connects them to work-in-the-world; he elicits student examples from their own lives, so that they feel empowered, inspired and deeply respected."

Jennifer Sasser, Chair, Human Sciences

"Dr. Sasser creates an atmosphere of scholars engaged in a common journey of discovery; one has the feeling she is 'pulling you along towards the excitement of scholarly inquiry' as opposed to 'teaching.' A gift for teaching as profound as Dr. Sasser's is hard to describe; it encompasses a totality of sensitivity to her students, profound love of her craft and a subtle and versatile mind which has been kept bright by constant polishing."

Eileen Franzese Schiffer, MBA

"She sets a high bar for the program's quality standards; she mentors her class without sentimentality; she expects and demands excellence; she provides exceptional class readings; she is tough with grading, but fair in her judgments; she is always accessible and answers all questions and concerns promptly. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had."

Elizabeth Spurgeon, Interior Design

"Elizabeth has such a visible passion for design and teaching it. I feel that is a major point of difference which enables this program to run smoothly, but also be a different experience every year. Elizabeth is extremely patient and objective. She is diplomatic and caring and always willing to adapt and listen to student's concerns. I earnestly hope that future generations of Marylhurst students have the opportunity to take this life-design-challenge."

Past Recipients

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