Outstanding OSU faculty share teaching philosophies

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

(Stillwater, OK  Nov. 4, 2009) -- Eight Oklahoma State University faculty members were honored this week as Regents Distinguished Teaching Award winners for 2009. This was the 19th year in which outstanding faculty members were recognized for their expertise and dedication to teaching.

Receiving the prestigious awards were Thomas C. Hennessey, professor of forestry; James O. Puckette, associate professor of geology; Karen McBee, professor of zoology; Tracy A. Suter, associate professor of marketing; Susan Stansberry, associate professor of educational studies; Daniel E. Fisher, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Hailin Qu, Regents Professor of hotel and restaurant administration; and James E. Breazile, professor of physiological sciences.

They received a plaque and a permanent salary increment of $1,000, plus fringe benefits on top of normal merit increases recommended by respective department heads, according to OSU President Burns Hargis.

Each college nominates up to three people for the award. A review and selection committee composed of an undergraduate and a graduate student, two faculty members at large, two department heads and the provost, identifies the winners. Each college has one recipient except the College of Arts and Sciences, which has two recipients due to the large number of faculty.

Hennessey received his B.S. degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa and his Ph.D. in forest biology from Iowa State University, and joined the OSU faculty in 1976. “I have learned that perhaps the best attribute of a good teacher, whether teaching undergraduate or graduate courses, is that he or she is a thorough and continuing student,” Hennessey said. “My goal is to still be learning the day I teach my last class.”

Puckette received B.S. degrees in geology and in secondary science education, an M.S. in geology and a Ph.D. in environmental science, all from OSU. He joined OSU in 1987 as a research assistant and as a faculty member in 1999. “I firmly believe that students are our greatest assets and I strive to communicate to each student that she/he is important to me as an individual and that she/he is an integral part of the classroom community,” Puckett said.

McBee received her B.S. in biology from Baylor University, her M.S., in zoology from Texas Tech University, and her Ph.D. in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas A&M University. She joined the OSU faculty in 1987. “What I’ve learned most about teaching is that you’ve got to change,” McBee said. “I’ve learned that I sometimes have to recognize failures as successes. I’ve learned that I should expect more of students than they expect of themselves.”

Suter received his B.B.A. in business administration from Wichita State University, and is M.B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas, and joined the OSU faculty in 2001.

At the end of each semester, he tells his graduating seniors “Schola confecta est. Nunc principit sapientum,” which is Latin for “School is over. Learning now begins.” “If I have done my job properly, then the students in my classes should be able to continue learning without me,” Suter said.

Stansberry received a B.S. in secondary education language arts, and an M.S. and Ed.D. in information communication technology, all from OSU. She joined the OSU teaching faculty in 2001. “I expect students to openly share, question, challenge, take risks and collaborate; for that to happen, I must create a safe and supportive environment,” Stansberry said.

Fisher received his B.A. in international business from Carthage College, and his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D., all in mechanical engineering, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He joined the OSU faculty in 1999. “By word and by example, my goal is to instill in my students a sense of responsibility to their profession and to society at large,” Fisher said. “I stress the importance of high ethical standards and integrity and lead them to apply their critical thinking skills to broader societal problems.”

Qu received his B.S. in hotel and restaurant management from Northern Arizona University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in restaurant, hotel, institutional and tourism management from Purdue University, and joined the OSU faculty in 1999. “I have come to believe that learning occurs through interaction in the environment,” Qu said. “I adapt my teaching methods to students rather than expecting my students to adapt to my teaching methods.”

Breazile received his B.S. in agriculture and D.V.M. degrees from the University of Missouri, his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, and an M.A. degree in adult education/theology from Loyola University. He was on the OSU physiology and pharmacology faculty from 1963-67, and rejoined the OSU veterinary medicine faculty in 1978. “There are three over-riding elements of life that energize and motivate persons in all human endeavors,” Breazile said. “These are the need for perfection of life, perfection of truth and perfect acceptance. Unless there is progress toward these elements in the personal search for knowledge in the educational process, learning is greatly hampered.”