Atlanta — December 2, 2005

Four University System of Georgia faculty members and three academic programs have been selected to receive 2005 Board of Regents’ Teaching Excellence and Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Awards.

The Board of Regents’ awards program recognizes and rewards both individual faculty members and academic programs at the University System’s 35 institutions. The awards honor outstanding teaching that significantly improves student achievement, as well as commitment to student-focused research on effective teaching.

“Academic excellence is the cornerstone of the University System of Georgia,” said Dr. Daniel S. Papp, senior vice chancellor for academics and fiscal affairs with the Board of Regents. “This recognition program serves to strengthen the commitment of University System faculty to student learning and achievement. We are pleased to salute these outstanding faculty members and programs as models of excellence.”

The following USG faculty will receive the Board of Regents’ 2005 Awards for Excellence in Teaching:

Representing Two-Year and State Colleges:

• Dr. Alan Brasher, associate professor of English, East Georgia College. Brasher is credited with empowering his students and building their self-confidence through his passion for teaching.

Representing Regional and State Universities:

• Dr. Michael H. Deis, associate professor of management, Clayton State University. Deis is the recipient of numerous campus awards for teaching, research, faculty advising and outstanding service.

Representing Research Universities:

• Dr. Barbara Baumstark, professor of biology, Georgia State University. Baumstark is the founding director of Georgia State’s Bio-Bus Project, a mobile instructional laboratory that has received national funding and recognition as a model community outreach program.

The following USG programs or departments will receive the Board of Regents’ 2005 Awards for Excellence in Teaching:

Representing Two-Year and State Colleges:

• Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering, Georgia Perimeter College. The Mathematics faculty at GPC-Clarkston are committed to developing innovative programs that foster student success in mathematics. The department is being recognized in part for the degree of collegiality, cooperation and collaboration demonstrated.

Representing Regional and State Universities:

• Family Nurse Practitioner Program, Albany State University. This distance-learning program has had a dramatic impact on access to healthcare in rural, medically underserved communities. Academic excellence is the faculty’s top priority, and the program’s students have performed extremely well on national certification exams as a result.

Representing Research Universities:

• Mathematics Teaching Assistant Development Program, Georgia Institute of Technology. Implemented in 2000, this exemplary program has led to significant improvements in the quality of teaching of freshman and sophomore mathematics courses at Georgia Tech. Teaching assistants in these courses, all of whom participate in the TA Development Program, receive excellent ratings from their students.

The following USG faculty member will receive the Board of Regents’ 2005 Award for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:

• Dr. Tina Harris, associate professor of speech and communication, University of Georgia. Harris has demonstrated a knack for combining scholarship, teaching and student learning. Her efforts to promote effective teaching and learning about issues related to interracial communication are nationally recognized.

Each of the award winners will receive $5,000 and a certificate of achievement in January.

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