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The awards were created in 1952 with a bequest by Kenneth Spencer Tanner,
class of 1911, and his sister, Sara Tanner Crawford, establishing an endowment
fund in memory of their parents, Lola Spencer and Simpson Bobo Tanner. Part of
the endowment was the property known as West House on Old Fraternity Row on
campus. The award recognizes excellence in inspirational teaching of
undergraduate students, preferably with respect to their influence on first-
and second-year students. Each winner received a one-time stipend of $5,000 and
a framed citation.
Douglas Elvers
* Title: Professor of Business Administration and Associate Dean for
BSBA Program
* Faculty member since: 1968
* Other Carolina teaching awards: Kenan-Flagler Business School Undergraduate
Teaching Award, 1994; UNC-CH Favorite Faculty Award, 1994
* University awarding Ph.D.: Michigan
* Undergraduate classes taught last year: Introduction to International
Business, Business in the European Union, Business Operations in Europe,
Operations Management
Excerpts from the citation: Professor Elvers' students refer to him as
phenomenal, passionate, accessible, and devoted. His colleagues agree, citing
his commitment to students and education as the basis for his spectacularly
innovative work within the Business School.
Students claim that they "cannot see Professor Elvers doing anything else but
teach." His introduction Operations Management course is a favorite amongst
business students because of the way he transforms the otherwise lackluster
material into something practical and useful that students understand. His
colleagues speak of his ability to take on a tremendous amount of course work
each semester, while still maintaining the highest caliber of instruction. The
directors of the BSBA program applaud his innovative work in expanding the
global curriculum of the Business School, an effort fueled solely by Professor
Elvers' philosophy that students should leave Carolina with a broader view of
the world and the international marketplace than they exhibited initially.
Teaching style/philosophy: "I try to provide a challenging environment for the
student and in the process, present the relevant material to the student in a
practical and meaningful manner."
Allen Glazner
* Title: Professor of Geology
* Faculty member since: 1981
* University awarding Ph.D.: UCLA
* Undergraduate classes taught last year: Burch Field Research Seminar in
Geology (in California), Volcanoes and Civilization: An Uneasy Coexistence
Excerpts from the citation: Alan Glazner is a top researcher in his field and
editor of its leading journal. He also memorizes the names and faces of all his
students -- even in classes of 150. He teaches in the field as well as in the
classroom. Last semester, he took a Burch Seminar class to California to study
geological phenomena and to a conference in Colorado to present their
research.
Students praised his willingness to give them his time and energy, even though
he was busy with his own research. Some students have even changed majors
because of him. In the words of one student, "Dr. Glazner is concerned about
students understanding -- from beginners to the most advanced students. He sets
up really neat experiences and has a very hands-on approach to learning."
Teaching style/philosophy: "I prefer teaching geology in the field, and take
students out to my research areas in California whenever possible. The Burch
program last fall was ideal for this. In large indoor classes like Introductory
Geology I like to get to know the students as well as I can, because it is much
more fun to teach when the students seem to be people rather than ID
numbers."
Sylvia Hoffert
* Title: Professor of History/Women's Studies
* Faculty member since: 1995
* Other Carolina teaching awards: Senior Class Teaching Award, 1997; Women's
Studies Teaching Award, 1996
* University awarding Ph.D.: Indiana
* Undergraduate classes taught last year: Gender in American Life, Women in
U.S. History, Introduction to Women's Studies
Excerpts from the citation: Many students take several of her courses and
strongly recommend her to their friends, even when they are writing a huge
paper in the middle of finals week. She is always available to students and
willing to help them. She excels in both large- and small-class settings, and
her teaching is very versatile.
A colleague praised her ability to introduce a personal element into her
teaching and use personal anecdotes and other real life stories to bring
material alive. Other colleagues noted her ability to help others focus more
on teaching. One colleague vowed she would "fight to the death for Sylvia and
this award."
Teaching style/philosophy: "I consider teaching to be a collaborative effort.
In my ideal classroom, the teacher acts as a facilitator so that students can
learn to ask questions and think for themselves."
Judith Miller
* Title: R.N., Associate Professor of Nursing
* Faculty member since: 1991
* Other Carolina teaching awards: Undergraduate Nursing Faculty Award, 1996,
1998, 1999, 2000
* University awarding Ph.D.: Oregon Health Sciences
* Undergraduate classes taught last year: Nursing Care of Frail Elders; Basic
Theories, Processes and Skills for Clinical Nursing; Nursing Care of Patients
with Major Adult Health Problems.
Excerpts from the citation: Colleagues and students hold Professor Judith
Miller in high regard for her genuine care and compassion. She personalizes her
teaching by adapting her students' thoughts into the theories she teaches.
During that process, she challenges them, has high expectations, and constantly
asks them to go one step further in their performance and understanding. She
takes seriously the notion of being a good teacher, and she pursued her
nursing-teaching certification after she was a university instructor.
Her colleagues describe her as an outstanding teacher who embodies the highest
principles of caring and critical thinking that exemplify excellence in nursing
as well as teaching. Her creative approach to teaching, which is always aimed
at enhancing her students' learning, is both broad and finely turned to the
changing demands of nursing practice.
Teaching style/philosophy: "I try to help students go as far as they can in
recognizing the complexity and beauty of the nursing profession."
Yun-Dong Nam
* Title: Assistant Professor of Art
* Faculty member since: 1995
* University awarding Master's Degree: Cranbrook Academy of Art
* Undergraduate classes taught last year: Introduction to Three Dimensional
Design (Introductory Sculpture), Ceramic Sculpture
Excerpts from the citation: Yun-Dong Nam has been a faculty member in the
Department of Art since 1995, specializing in ceramic sculpture. He challenges
and encourages students to become artists, seeing the best in each one of them.
One student said that "Professor Nam teaches as if he were peering through a
kaleidoscope and seeing millions of colors in every one of his students." He is
extremely generous with his time with students, and that is evidenced by the
many students in his office any time of the day or night.
He uses stories in a unique and skillful way to teach students and regularly
explores new ways to enhance his teaching and departmental curriculum. A
colleague said Professor Nam's honesty and skillful ability to bring an
historical vantage point to his instruction make him a superb teacher.
Students also tell of the inspirational and lasting impact he has had on their
lives. In one student's words, "I always felt that he emphasized the most
positive, creative qualities in our work. During his class, I felt I could
accomplish anything, and that feeling has stuck with me." Another student said,
"I have never before had a professor who devoted such ample time to his
students, who cares as much, or who is as enlightening."
Teaching style/philosophy: "My main goal is to get students to understand
themselves -- their history, their culture -- and then project that through
their art."
Tanner Graduate Teaching Assistants Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate
Teaching
In 1990, the University expanded the purview of the Tanner Awards to recognize
excellence in the teaching of undergraduates by graduate teaching assistants.
Each winner received a one-time stipend of $1,000 and a framed citation.
2000 winners were:
* Lois A. Boynton, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
* Shane Hawkins, classics
* Lisa Merschel, Romance languages
* Michael Quinn, economics
* Lorena Russell, English
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