Next school year, four Ohio University professors will have
the chance to teach the class of their choice after being named University Professors.
The honorees are assistant professor of history Patrick Griffin, assistant professor of journalism Diana Knott, assistant professor of sociology Deborah Thorne and associate professor of political science Julie White.
The University Professor Award began in 1970 to honor outstanding instructors. Winners also receive $2,000.
Students nominated professors in the fall, and a committee of undergraduates evaluated the finalists and selected the winners.
The professors will begin offering the new classes next school year, except for Griffin. He will spend a year at the National University of Ireland researching Atlantic history and focusing on the American Revolution in the frontier.
I was kind of surprised to be nominated
Griffin said. It was especially great because it was determined by students. That is probably the most gratifying aspect of the award.
When he returns, Griffin will teach a class on the Irish-American experience. The class will cover early Irish immigration to America, the famine migration and the 20th century history of that experience.
White will offer her class, Ecological Praxis, during Spring Quarter next year.
It's going to bring together environmental ethics public policy analysis and some environmental geography she said.
The class will look at local environmental policy, using the Athens Comprehensive Plan as a case study. Local issues allow students to communicate with policy makers, White said.
This is the second time White has received the award; her first came in 1997.
Graduate student Caroline Nagy has taken two classes with White. Her classes were intellectually intense
Nagy said. She is really good at getting students to think.
Sociology professor Deb Thorne is known around campus for her ability to get 400-student sections of Sociology 101 engaged in the class, including calling students by name when they raise their hands.
Freshman Tim Baker said he enjoyed Thorne's Sociology 101 class last quarter and that he would take another class with her. She doesn't mind getting to know her students
he said. She takes a few out to coffee each week.
Thorne will teach Bling Bling Blues: Consumerism and Debt as American Culture during Spring and Fall quarters 2005.
Thorne said she created the course because she studies personal bankruptcy. The number one reason we have bankruptcy is because we live in a consumerist society
she said.
Journalism professor Diana Knott will teach Fundraising and Development. Students will learn how to help non-profit organizations raise money through means such as grant writing.
I think it can help give our students a leg-up in the job market
she said. That's lots of application.
She added that students will leave the course with good resume material.
Knott said this course will not only be useful to public relations students, but also, to social work, sociology and education students.
OU senior Krista Paglisotti had Knott for Introduction to PR. She's so approachable
such a nice person. I think that's what makes her a great professor
she said. She definitely deserves it.
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