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