Metropolitan State University professors and advisors honored

-- Carin Mangimeli

At the Fall Faculty Conference on Sept. 24, 2005, three professors and two advisors at Metropolitan State University were honored for their stellar contributions during the 2004-2005 academic year. The five were nominated by graduating students and were chosen for the awards based upon the following criteria: demonstrates enthusiasm for subject matter and applies creativity in the use of learning strategies; demonstrates knowledge and mastery of subject matter and ability to present material in an organized manner; has concern for students and ability to evaluate and meet student’s learning needs; uses a variety of instructional resources, and encourages student independence in identifying and using additional resources in the community; motivates students and assists them in becoming self-directed learners; elicits, welcomes and accepts questions and viewpoints other than his/her own; encourages student to recognize links between theories/research and experience/practice; and is fair and impartial with respect to differences such as age, sex and religion.

According to Lawrence Moe, Chair of Literature and Language Department and of the University teaching awards committee for 2004-2005, the school has honored teachers since 1976 and those making the nominations are asked to explain how an instructor/advisor (community or resident) distinguished themselves on the stated criteria and/or are given an opportunity to add additional attributes. The committee, comprised of former winners of the Outstanding Teacher Award (once they have won the award, university tradition decrees that they cannot win it again), then selects the recipients from the nominations.

Brian Nerney, an associate professor in the Communications, Writing and the Arts Department at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), was given the Outstanding Teacher Award. Nerney, a professor at Metropolitan State University since 1994 also won the Excellence in Teaching Award for 1998-1999 and the Excellence in Advising Award for 2001-2002. He has a B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross, M.A. and Ph.D. in American studies from the University of Minnesota. Prior to teaching at Metropolitan State, Nerney taught at the University of Saint Thomas and managed public relations in corporate and educational organizations.

Among his achievements, he has established literacy programs at local elementary schools for children and families. Of the award, he says, “I was surprised and very grateful to be named Outstadning Teacher. I enjoy teaching Metropolitan State students because they are highly motivated and have interesting stories to tell. I hope my students will continue to write after graduation and get published. Even better, I hope they are paid for their work. Metropolitan State is an excellent place to teach because teaching is valued and there are many superb teachers. Students can get an excellent education here.”

Anne Aronson, a resident faculty professor and advisor in the CAS Communications, Writing and the Arts Department, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award. Aronson, a professor since 1993, has a B.A. in English from Yale University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English from the University of Minnesota. Aronson’s achievements include aiding in the establishment of the Writing Center and writing major at Metropolitan State University and assisting with the creation of the interdisciplinary department, Communication, Writing and the Arts.

When asked about teaching and the honor, Aronson said, “…it’s quite a thrill to receive this honor. I only wish we could honor more teachers every year; Metropolitan State has so many great teachers….I always tell people that I teach the greatest students in the world and that I’d have a tough time teaching anywhere else….the students have wonderful life experiences to bring to the classroom…they are diverse and highly motivated…also…so many of my faculty and staff colleagues are open-minded and creative people who are a joy to work with.” Her hope is that students will become “…engaged citizens who use what they’ve learned at Metropolitan State to improve their own lives and the lives of others locally and globally, that they develop habits of reading and listening carefully, thinking deeply and making informed decisions.”

Aronson’s plans for the future include more writing and editing, particularly pieces that combine creativity and scholarly components. She would also like to explore the political rhetoric surrounding debates on terrorism and bring more international perspective into her classes, help more students in the writing major find internships that link to future careers and continue to improve the quality of instruction and learning at the university.

The other recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award was community faculty member Mark Grunewald, a professor in the CAS mathematics department. When asked about the award, Grunewald says that he is “proud, grateful and humble…I enjoy teaching. I appreciate being part of my students’ lives. I take pride in taking a subject that is abstract and often anxiety-producing and doing my best to make it interesting, engaging and approachable. I intend to make the life of each of my students better, and am grateful that the continued interactions with students over the years has increased my level of compassion for others along with refining my insight into the human mind and spirit.…My intent is to improve in how I teach, with whom I teach….I am proud and graced to be a teacher.”

Grunewald has a B.A. in psychology from Macalester College, and an M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching)in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He has been teaching at Metropolitan State University since 2001 and is also a mortgage banker at Prime Mortgage Corporation, Minnetonka. He hopes to further his professional education and become proficient in playing a musical instrument. For his students, Grunewald hopes “that they all improve their level of problem-solving skills along with their ability to evaluate complex situations. I hope they are more confident and self-reliant as they tackle future problems. And, at best, I hope students use their increased intellect and confidence to better their lives and the lives of others.”

The Carol C. Ryan Excellence in Advising Award was presented to academic advisor Donna Blacker of CAS and Craig Hansen, CAS professor and director of the graduate and undergraduate programs in technical communication.

Blacker, a former high school English teacher, has been working at the university in various capacities for over 25 years and in her current position since 1999. She has recently returned from a three-year disability leave. Blacker has a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois, and an M.A. in liberal studies from Hamline University. She is one class and a thesis from a second master’s that will require her to produce a book. She has also recently starting teaching writing courses as community faculty and tutors regularly in the Writing Center.

Blacker’s favorite memory at Metropolitan State University was the opening celebration for the library. “It was thrilling to see the children, teens, students, and adults—the merging of the local community and the Metro community—sharing in the fruition of a dream.” She says she chose Metropolitan State University, “because it’s a first stop for many and a last chance for many. And, mostly, because its home.”

Craig Hansen has a B.A. in political science and an M.A. in English from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Minnesota. Since starting at Metropolitan State University in 1993, he has developed the B.A. and M.S. in technical communication. He says that the honor “feels great, though I was surprised. Being an advisor is part of my job as a faculty member. I think it’s one of the most interesting parts because I enjoy the contact with students. I find it rewarding if I can help them be successful or help them solve problems at Metro. I enjoy it tremendously. I like the wide variety of things I do, the interaction with such a wide variety of people. I feel connected.”

Regarding the future, he says “I want the things that I’m involved with—like advising or the tech comm programs—to be the highest quality possible. There’s no substitute for that.” For his students, he hopes that “they continue to grow intellectually. It would also be nice if a half dozen or so became billionaires. We need new software for our labs.”

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