EUGENE–Outstanding classroom teaching is bringing two University of Oregon graduate students public recognition and cash awards. Both will receive 1999 UO Graduate Teaching Fellow Awards for excellence in teaching.

Three other graduate teaching fellows will receive honorable mention awards.

Hilary Hart, a doctoral degree student in English of Eugene, and James Ashar Nelson, a master’s degree student in architecture of Salisbury, Vt., 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 12, at Hayward Field, 1580 E. 15th Ave.

Hart and Nelson were selected from a field of 51 graduate student nominees who represent teaching, research or service in 25 departments or programs.

Three other graduate teaching fellows–Alexandra Stotts, a doctoral degree student in philosophy from Eugene; Kathleen "Kate" Sullivan, a doctoral degree student in English from Eugene; and Jennifer Firkins, a doctoral degree student in mathematics from Lake Oswego–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 Marian Friestad, UO Graduate School dean. "Graduate teaching fellows contribute an essential element of the teaching mission of the university. Quality teaching and diversity of instruction are enhanced by the presence of these highly talented, developing professionals."

Hart, 566 W. 17th Ave., Eugene, has taught literature, film history and English composition. She describes her philosophy of teaching as a work in progress and acknowledges the values of observing the skills, methods and professional standards of the professors with whom she works.

"Whether I am working in a supportive role as a discussion leader or teaching my own composition class, my primary objectives are the same: to provide my students with the skills necessary for critical thinking and effective writing and to help them understand and meet the expectations of academic work," Hart says.

Nelson, Rt. 1, Box 264, Salisbury, Vt., teaches classes at construction sites as well as in lecture halls. He teaches basic building construction and serves as a GTF to the Design Build Apprenticeship Program, a hands-on program involving students in all aspects of building production from design to construction. He is the project manager and mentor for the current project, a registration building at Silver Falls State Park near Salem.

"Patience, hands-on learning and balancing the needs of the individual with the needs of the overall project became the basic tenets of my teaching philosophy," says Nelson.

Stotts, 2630 Elinor St., Eugene, approaches her classes from a feminist perspective and has taught theories of knowledge, philosophy of feminism, and the history of modern philosophy.

"I try to make the debates interesting and applicable to encourage critical thought in my students," Stotts says of her teaching philosophy.

Sullivan, 325 W. 12th Ave., Apt. 9, Eugene, was lauded for her teaching performance in three courses in Women’s Studies, English composition and film.

"My 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.

Firkins, 47 Hillshire Dr., Lake Oswego, teaches classes in math, trigonometry and calculus, and she has served in the Mentorship Program at Patterson Family Schools. She also participates in Johns Hopkins University’s summer program, teaching gifted teens.

"My success as an instructor comes primarily from my enthusiasm for my subject. I try to make the material accessible to the students while showing them how interesting math can be," she says.

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