May 27, 1997 Contact Pauline Austin (541) 346-3129 EUGENE--Other universities talk about their commitment to teaching excellence, but the University of Oregon rewards teachers where it really counts--in their paychecks. Three UO professors will find an extra $2,000-a-year in their salary envelopes next year as a result of their classroom prowess. "We're really very serious at the UO about how important great teaching is at a great university. We value great teaching here and we reward it," says UO President Dave Frohnmayer. Daniel Goldrich, UO professor of political science, is the 1997 recipient of the Thomas F. Herman Award for Distinguished Teaching. Barbara Altmann, UO assistant professor of Romance languages, and Robert Peña, UO assistant professor of architecture, are the 1997 recipients of the Ersted Awards for Distinguished Teaching. Frohnmayer dropped in at Goldrich's classroom unannounced Tuesday, May 27, to hand deliver a crystal apple that symbolizes the teaching excellence awards. Altmann and Peña will receive their crystal apples at a later date. The Ersted Award, established in 1957, encourages and rewards exceptional teachers early in their careers. The late A. J. Ersted created a trust fund to pay for the salary increases. The Thomas F. Herman Award for Distinguished Teaching honors senior faculty members who have achieved outstanding records as teachers. A faculty-student committee made the recommendations for both awards. Goldrich, who teaches environmental politics and the politics of Central and Latin America, "transforms students' lives by giving them the conviction that politics and political involvement matter," says Deborah Baumgold, head of the Department of Political Science. He challenges students to think critically about politics and the information we receive from the media, she adds. One student describes Goldrich as an inspiring teacher with so much energy and interest that his enthusiasm easily passes on to the students. Altmann, who teaches medieval French literature and language, brings to her teaching "the rigor, passion, patience and vision that inform her scholarship on medieval French literature," according to a committee member. Her students and colleagues remark on the respect she has for others and respect she wins in return. Peña is one of three faculty members at the UO School of Architecture and Allied Arts who created the curriculum package, "Design with PV" to provide students with better instruction in design. The UO program has shared the improved curriculum package with 50 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada. "I have grown to appreciate Rob Peña's integrity, loyalty, convictions and dreams as well as his unshakable commitment to teaching and to the environment," says a former graduate student and colleague. Altmann, Peña and Goldrich will be honored at spring commencement ceremonies, to be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, at Hayward Field, 1580 E. 15th Ave. -30- #G-6077/Local,OrDailies,PDX,Higher Education