Distinguished Teaching Award

By Joseph Schell
Community Journalism: UW News Lab

Posted: 09.07.05

Every year, the University of Washington Teaching Academy honors a select number of UW faculty with the Distinguished Teaching Award. These are teachers who have shown expertise and passion for their field of choice.

Five Department of Communication faculty have been honored with the award for their understanding of the curriculum and their excitement and enthusiasm for teaching: Lisa Coutu, David Domke, Jerry Baldasty, Gerry Philipsen and Don Pember.

When asked what it meant for the department as a whole Jerry Baldasty said: "We have a culture that values students and thus pays a good deal of attention to teaching. We also have wonderful students, and that is an important part of the equation."

"It's the students voting on these teachers, that's what makes it a big deal" commented Victoria Sprang, alumni and development manager for the department.

Lisa Coutu, a 2003 award recipient, received her Ph.D. from UW in 1996. As Senior Lecturer in the Department, Dr. Coutu specializes in the study of communication and culture, the ethnography of communication and discourse analysis. Coutu's particular research is in how groups' ways of speaking are created and maintained within the context of coexisting and competing ways of speaking.

When asked what it meant to her to win the award, Dr. Coutu responded: "It was great. The work I really care about was recognized by others. Winning the award was an affirmation I was doing something right. It gave me confidence that what I'm doing is appreciated by the students."

David Domke, an associate professor in the department; received his Ph.D. in Mass Communications from the University of Minnesota in 1996 and began teaching at the UW in 1998. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Teaching Award. "It's the biggest reward of my career." said Domke.

Domke's academic interests are political elites and news media, individual values, cognition, and social change, with a special interest in post 9/11 America. "Winning the award gave me a comfort zone in the classroom, I began to try new ideas, being creative, innovative and relaxed. It gave me the freedom to try new things," said Domke.

Professor Baldasty received a Ph.D. in Communication from the UW in 1978. Baldasty has a particular interest in communication history, media and politics and in media and diversity. He's currently chair of the department, while also serving as an adjunct professor in Women Studies and in American Ethnic Studies. He received the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2000.

"To be recognized by others for my teaching is important to me and also quite fulfilling. Teaching is a wonderful occupation. Teachers can provide information and ideas to students, but students also influence courses and faculty. I've learned a great deal from my students over the years; the best classes are truly interactive. Which means that everyone (including the faculty member) is involved in learning," said Baldasty. When asked what he does to remain progressive in the classroom, he responded: "Every class is a new chance to connect with students or not to connect, so there is still much to do before every class. Students change over time, too, as do the issues so good teachers have to continue to work to stay current, to be able to engage the students."

Communication Professor Gerry Philipsen received his Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1972. His research interests are ethnography of communication, small group discussion and decision making. Professor Philipsen is a 1984 recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award. He teaches intercultural communication, communication and conflict and the introduction to speech communication.

Emeritus Professor Don Pember served twice as School of Communications director and taught media law, news writing, reporting, and new journalism. He retired in 2002. He was awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1975; he also won the Society of Professional Journalists' Public Service Award in 1993. Pember received his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"In the 70s, teaching was different. In the classroom it was on the student as much as it was on the teacher. The students were more interactive and well spoken. I went in front of the class and entertained as if I was on the Johnny Carson show, not in a derogatory way though. There were four thing students appreciated: organization, communication, energy and enthusiasm - the students' respected that," reminisced Pember when asked what it meant for him to win the award.

Since 1970, the Teaching Academy has awarded the Distinguished Teaching Award to faculty in recognition of their outstanding work. All faculty (tenure-track faculty and full time faculty) of the University are eligible for the award. Each recipient is inducted into the Teaching Academy and receives a $5000 stipend. Inductees are then invited to participate in the Academy, adding to the quality in the teaching and learning processes at UW.

For information on how you can nominate a favorite professor, visit the Teaching Academy web site.