June 4, 1998 Contact John R. Crosiar (541) 346-3135 EUGENE--Outstanding classroom teaching is bringing two University of Oregon graduate students public recognition and cash awards. Both will receive 1998 UO Graduate Teaching Fellow Awards for excellence in teaching. Three other graduate teaching fellows will receive honorable mention awards. Elaine Roth, a doctoral degree student in English of Eugene, and Jonathan Flojo, a doctoral degree student in school psychology of Springfield, 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 13, at Hayward Field, 1580 E. 15th Ave. Roth and Flojo were selected from a field of 25 graduate student nominees who represent teaching, research or service in 20 departments or programs. Three other graduate teaching fellows--Sara Burke, a spring graduate of the law school, Kathleen "Kate" Sullivan, a doctoral degree student in English, and Penelope Heinigk, a doctoral degree student in Germanic languages and literature, all of Eugene--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 of research 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." Roth, 1998 Woodlawn St., Eugene, has designed a course, "Women in American Films," which she will teach for the first time this summer as part of the Women's Studies program. A GTF in "History of the Motion Picture" and "Introduction to the English Major" classes, she has been praised by students and supervisors for her classroom performance which is characterized as intellectually demanding, witty, organized and stimulating. Flojo, 2555 Gateway St., Apt. 36, Springfield, serves as the assisting GTF in a sequence on educational testing, measurement and statistics. He is praised for helping the students master the concepts in those classes and for establishing a lecture style with excellent rapport and interaction with the class. In his own words, "teaching is a joy because this act allows me to connect with students." Burke, 3137 Kinsrow Ave., Apt. 117, Eugene, was nominated for her performance as lead GTF in the introductory Women's Studies sequence. Her classroom experience has prompted her to employ a variety of instructional techniques that allow each student to experience the material in ways that compliment his or her learning style. Burke is also credited with encouraging independent thought from each student. Sullivan, 325 W. 12th Ave., Apt. 9, Eugene, was lauded for her teaching performance in three courses, Women's Studies, English composition and film. "[M]y responsibility in the classroom is not simply to fill students up with knowledge but to provide them with intellectual tools so that they can participate meaningfully in society," Sullivan said of her teaching approach. Heinigk, 2250 Patterson St., Apt. 197, Eugene, was praised by the students in her German language classes for her enthusiasm and efforts to help all students grasp the materials. One of Heinigk's supervisors observed, "Penelope's success is in large part due to her genuine interest in teaching. She wants to help students learn about another culture and language and has a talent for sparking interest." -30- #H-2233/Local/eb