EUGENE–Two University of Oregon graduate students will receive the 2001 UO Graduate Teaching Fellow Awards for the outstanding quality of their classroom teaching and their enthusiasm as instructors.

One other graduate teaching fellow (GTF) will receive honorable mention for his teaching excellence.

Doctoral degree students Bryan Dubin, a political science major, and John Fiskio-Lasseter, a computer and information science major, will receive their awards and a $500 honorarium at a brunch just before the university’s 124th spring commencement ceremonies begin on Saturday, June 16, at McArthur Court, 1601 University St., on campus.

Jeffery Baldwin, a geography doctoral degree student, will receive an honorable mention certificate and $150 during the pre-commencement ceremony.

Dubin and Fiskio-Lasseter were selected from among 40 graduate student nominees who represent teaching, research or service in more than 20 UO departments or programs. Finalists submitted a statement of their philosophy of teaching, and members of the selection committee observed the finalists in their classrooms before selecting the winners.

The university established the GTF teaching awards in cooperation with the UO chapter of Mortar Board, a national academic and service honorary society. The purpose of the awards, first presented in 1979, is to recognize excellence in teaching and academic guidance.

"Approximately 1,200 graduate students serve as teaching fellows for all or part of each year," says Rich Linton, vice provost for research and UO Graduate School dean. "They contribute an essential element to the teaching mission of the university. Quality teaching and diversity of instruction are enhanced by the presence of these highly talented, developing professionals."

Dubin, of 2755 Jackson St., Eugene, is recognized by political science undergraduates and faculty for encouraging analytical thought and his dedication to being available to his students. Dubin’s students comment on his willingness to go the extra mile for them, whether it is extending his office hours or reading countless drafts of term papers.

He finds "the most rewarding aspect of teaching to be the face-to-face interaction with students," and that, "there is nothing more gratifying than helping a struggling student to grasp a concept or idea."

His teaching philosophy incorporates personal interaction, effective communication and encouragement of critical thought.

Fiskio-Lasseter, of 2986 Riverview St., Eugene, is respected in the Department of Computer and Information Science for his concern for the quality and value of student learning. His students comment on his broad knowledge base and his ability to explain a challenging topic in various ways. Although he works with a large number of students, Fiskio-Lasseter has taken the time to know each by name.

He also utilizes office hours and e-mail correspondence to assist students with questions, but encourages students to try first to find the answers themselves.

"I consider my assignment and exam questions most successful when their solutions lead a student to follow a path of investigation and discovery like that which motivated the original scientific results," says Fiskio-Lasseter, who received a master’s degree from the university in 1998.

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