Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Teaching Excellence Award

Posted April 05, 2001


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 5, 2001 2001-04-05-OTHER

Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Teaching Excellence Award

To recognize and encourage Sessional Lecturers who have developed and
demonstrated exceptional competence in teaching, the Gwenna Moss Teaching &
Learning Centre has created the semi-annual Sylvia Wallace Sessional
Lecturer Teaching Excellence Award. This award recognizes commitment to and
excellence in undergraduate instruction by Sessional lecturers. The winners
of the award will be honoured at spring and fall ceremonies and presented
with a certificate, $1000.00 in cash, and the registration fee to attend the
conference of the Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education.

Candidates for the award demonstrate the following:

- Effectiveness in undergraduate lectures / discussions / studios /
laboratories
- Command of their subject area
- Skills in organizing and developing class material
- Capacity to motivate and inspire students.

At a brief ceremony April 3, Dr. Michael Atkinson, Vice-President
(Academic), presented the first Sylvia Wallace Sessional Teaching Excellence
Award to Dr. Patrick John Coggins.

Jack Coggins (B.A., M.A., B.Ed.: U of S; Ph.D.: McGill) is a Sessional
lecturer in the Department of History where, since 1976, he has taught
courses in European History, Military History, and Modern Civilization. In
her letter of nomination, Dr. Martha Smith-Norris says, "He has gained a
reputation as an exceptional undergraduate lecturer. High enrollments in
his classes testify to his popularity. Student and peer evaluations
consistently describe him as an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, well-prepared,
and inspiring instructor." A former student recalls the effect that Jack?s
History class had on him: "When I started attending University I planned to
major in computers, but after taking 20th-Century Europe in my second year,
I realized that this is what I wanted to do.

My goal [is] to get my degree in History." Another student follows a
similar vein: "I am currently pursuing my M.A. in History, in no small part
thanks to taking Jack?s classes. I hope to complete a Ph.D. When I do, I
will look to my memories of Jack?s teaching style as a guide." Again and
again his referees celebrate Jack?s passion for his subject: "His enthusiasm
is unparalleled and his ability to unleash a captivating and fabulously
entertaining lecture is second only to [the department?s Master Teachers]."
A senior professor of History, after observing Jack teach, offers
unconditional praise for his abilities: "He held his class in the palm of
his hand. He is fluent, dramatic, clear, and well-paced in his lecture
style ? a model for us all." Nothing encapsulates Jack Coggins better than
that metaphor.

The second award for excellence will be presented in November.

For information on how to nominate deserving candidates, please contact:

Ron Marken, Director
Gwenna Moss Teaching & Learning Centre
University of Saskatchewan
37 Murray Building
(306) 966-5532
marken@sask.usask.ca