EUGENE–University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer today (May 10) presented Asian studies professor Stephen Durrant with a crystal apple and $2,000-a-year pay raise.

Durrant is the winner of the 2001 Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching, a prestigious annual award given to faculty members who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching at the university.

Frohnmayer dropped in on one of Durrant’s classes Thursday to present the award personally. On Wednesday, Frohnmayer made similar visits to the classrooms of assistant English professor Lisa Freinkel and assistant Spanish professor David Castillo, winners of the 2001 Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching. The Ersted Award honors distinguished faculty early in their careers.

"This year’s honorees are widely respected and admired by their students and peers," says Frohnmayer. "The University of Oregon has a top-notch faculty, and the winners of these teaching awards demonstrate the type of commitment to education that makes this such a strong institution."

Durrant, who has a passion for Sinology and the role of early Chinese literature in the cultural development of the world, is known for his ability to impart an appreciation–and even love–of this ancient culture to his students. He is a consummate scholar of Chinese literature with many books and scholarly articles to his credit. In the classroom, he has demonstrated success in teaching at all levels, and he has been particularly effective in his large-enrollment classes in Chinese literature.

"His plain-spoken lectures make intelligible and approachable the complexities of a sophisticated culture that is entirely new to most students," according to the nominating committee. "He consistently earns high student evaluations for this gift of entry to a new (ancient) culture."

Durrant’s class evaluations typically point to his enthusiasm for teaching and his passion for the subject. When asked what their instructor could do better, students consistently say, "nothing!"

Winners of both the Herman and Ersted awards, chosen on the recommendation of faculty members and students, receive a $2,000 annual stipend added to their base salaries.

In addition to the crystal apple and pay raise, the winners will receive recognition at Spring Commencement, set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at McArthur Court.

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