PSU Magazine Winter 2005

economi cs degree at Oregon SLaLe UniversiLy. She switched to sociology at PSU after Laking one of Dujon'.s classes. "She's jusl extraordinari ly good al Laking complex informaLion and making iL undersLandable. " She's also a bit of a ham. As an oul– let Lo cure Lhe sLUdent blues when she was in college, Dujon acted in local LheaLer in Barbados. She never aspired to be an actor, buL the experience gave her a dramaLic edge in teaching. "The performance must go on; you have a script to deliver," she says. "Teaching takes a loL of preparation, especially in a new class. So you talk to yourself, and soon you make the crossover from being a person to being an actor. A teacher can be extremely convincing this way. l don't allow people to fall asleep in my class." rear communicaLion skills is one of the common denominators of the teaching award's recipients over the years, according to geology professor Scott Burns, who founded the award and continues to organize it. Bums started Lhe award wiLhouL any University funding-only whaL money he could gather on his own. His first contributor was Peggy Allen, wife of former PSU geology professor John Eliot Allen . That donation, and the fact that Allen was one of the most respected and loved professors in his day, prompted Bums to name the award after him. The first awards were given in 1998. Ever since, the awards cere– mony has been a packed event, much anticipaled by students and Leachers alike. And because it's held on the last day of classes, it ends the school year on a positive note. The student judges are picked for their academic ability. They're the cream of the crop, which Burns says keeps Lhe award from being a mere popularity contest. The idea is thaL if teachers-such as Dujon-can gain the respect of straight-A students, their abilities must truly be exceptional. D (John Kirkland, a Portland freelance write,; wrote th e arlicle "Unwired" in the J all 2004 PSU Magazine.) Honor Mention Veronica Dujon is the first three-time winner, but six other teachers won the John Eliot Allen Outstanding Teacher Award for the second time in 2004-the most repeats ever. They are: Ken Ames, Anthropology "His door is always open and he is always talking-how does he get anything done?" wrote one of his students. Students described him as supportive, accommodating, approachable, and considerate "inside that Einstein hair." Ames received a good dose of quirky comments: "He's full of it-in a good way. I can't understand his random words on the board. He never erases; he just writes over the last words." Claudine Fisher, French An outstanding, enthusiastic, challenging professor? Oui ! Able to get her students to love her subject? But of course! And on top of it all, she is reported to be the best-dressed professor at PSU. "We love to see what she is going to wear." She is also lauded for her deep appre– ciation for the arts, her motivation, and her passion for the French language. "She's a role model for lifelong learning." Keith Hadley, Geography Just what you'd want in a teacher: contagious enthusiasm, a love for students, dedication to teaching and research, and encyclopedic knowl– edge. Hadley was praised for giving excellent writing feedback, for being demanding, and for offering lots of his personal time. "He inspired me to refocus my interests," wrote one student. Ridwan Nytagodien, International Studies Students reported what every teacher wants to hear: "He encouraged and inspired me. He was the most influential teacher I have had." Nytagodien was described as challenging yet personable, with a knack for helping students to think critically. "He connects with students. I will take any class of his. He's a stunning professor." Michael Phillips, Philosophy Students extolled Phillips as a mentor whose door is always open and who takes great care in educating his students. His clear lectures, one said, "demonstrate excellent communication skills along with brilliant command of his material." Another student said, "He takes great care in educating his students; he's always willing to give extra help." Carl Wamser, Chemistry "Easy" is not an adjective typically linked with organic chemistry, but students report that Wamser has the ability to make it so. He teaches the largest organic chemistry class at PSU, yet he always takes time for his students, they say. He's friendly, yet challenging. "He holds himself up to the same high standards he sets for us," one student wrote. WI TER 2005 PSU tvtAGAZI E 11