June 5, 1997 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3135 EUGENE--Outstanding performance in classroom teaching is bringing two University of Oregon graduate students recognition and cash awards. Both will receive 1997 UO Graduate Teaching Fellow Awards for excellence in teaching. Three other graduate teaching fellows will receive honorable mention awards. J. Patrick Brewer, a doctoral degree student in mathematics, and Katarzyna "Kasia" Marciniak, a doctoral degree student in English, both of Eugene, will receive their awards and a $500 honorarium at a brunch just before the university's commencement ceremonies begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Hayward Field, 1580 E. 15th Ave. Brewer and Marciniak were selected from a field of 35 graduate student nominees who represent teaching, research or service in 24 departments or programs. Three other graduate teaching fellows--Barbara Kistenmacher, a doctoral degree student in psychology, Eugene; Philip Zuckerman, a doctoral degree student in sociology, Pacific Palisades, Calif.; and Michael O'Riley, a doctoral degree student in Romance languages, Durant, Okla.--will receive honorable mention certificates and awards of $100 each during the commencement day ceremony. 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 1,300 graduate students serve as teaching fellows for all or part of each year," says Steadman Upham, vice provost and UO Graduate School dean. "Graduate teaching fellows constitute an essential element of the teaching mission of the university," Upham says. "Quality teaching and diversity of instruction are enhanced by the presence of these highly talented, developing professionals." Brewer, 2166 W. 16th Ave., Eugene, has been instrumental in significant curricular reforms and innovations within the Department of Mathematics. He has been praised for his attention to the learning process, and for his attitude, patience and willingness to rephrase concepts again and again until they make sense to students. A colleague notes, "Patrick is the teacher I measure myself against when evaluating my own teaching." Marciniak, 650 W. 12th Ave., Apt. 230, Eugene, has been praised for her enthusiasm and skill as a GTF for both film history and English literature. A student in her discussion section on film history remarks the most important aspect of Marciniak's teaching is "her knowledge and passion for film and literature. Through this knowledge and passion, she not only engages the interest and excitement of students, but also challenges students to view the mediums of film and literature from diverse, powerful intriguing positions." Kistenmacher, 691 W. 26th Ave., Eugene, engages her students by creating a classroom environment where they can feel safe asking questions and sharing ideas. "I think the key to creating this environment is through relationship. This not only requires me to develop a relationship with my students, but also requires me to encourage them to form relationships with one another," she says. Zuckerman, 555 Marquette St., Pacific Palisades, Calif., summarizes his teaching philosophy in one statement: "passion is contagious." His love for the field of sociology is transmitted to his students. One student notes, "His enthusiasm motivates the class to work hard and get actively involved in discussions." O'Riley, 724 N. 4th Ave., Durant, Okla., relies on humor and energy to establish rapport with his students. His popularity as a first-year French teacher has grown to the degree that students compete to register for his class. A supervisor notes, "His rapport with students is far superior to that expected of a novice teacher." -30- #H-2242/Hometowns/ch