4/22/97 Contact: Andy Cinoman, University College, 614/593-1935
ATHENS, Ohio -- Six Ohio University faculty members have been named University Professors for the 1997-98 academic year.
The recipients are Assistant Professor of Journalism Eddith Dashiell, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Daniel Dolata, Associate Professor of History Richard Harvey, Assistant Professor of Interpersonal Communication Daniel Modaff, Assistant Professor of Political Science Patricia Weitsman and Assistant Professor of Political Science Julie White.
Harvey was among the first professors to be recognized as a University Professor in the early 1970s. Of this year's recipients, he is the only repeat winner.
The program was founded in 1970 to recognize and encourage outstanding undergraduate teaching, and is administered through University College. A 10-member student committee met with 12 finalists and observed their classes before selecting six winners.
University Professors receive $2,000 for professional development that will benefit students. Each winner also will design and teach either two University Professor courses or one course to be offered twice next academic year.
Harvey attributes this year's University Professor selection to the rising educational standards of students. "I would say this is more of a tribute to Ohio University students who have gotten steadily better and have been demanding a better education," he said, explaining that students are receptive to and appreciative of the challenges he and his colleagues present in the classroom.
Harvey, the author of many conference presentations and essays, is in his 30th year teaching in Ohio University's History Department. From 1983 to 1994, Harvey also served as the assistant dean of University College. His University Professor class will be titled "Men, Women and Gender Issues in the Renaissance," and will relate to his interest in women's history and his research of historical gender relations.
Dashiell, a faculty member since 1992, is director of the annual Summer High School Journalism Workshop and director of studies for the Honors Tutorial College/E.W. Scripps School of Journalism program. Her University Professor course, titled "Media Coverage of First Ladies," will look at the changing media from the time of Martha Washington to Hillary Clinton. She attributes her award to her ability to identify with the students and treat them like real people. She called the honor the "highlight" and the "Academy Award" of her career because "it came from the hearts of the students."
Dolata joined the faculty in 1995. He plans to teach two University Professor courses next year. The first class, "Chemistry Around Us," will look at a variety of topics from a chemical viewpoint and "look at the world around us as a total chemist's picture," he said. The second course will be titled "Fireworks: Art, Science and Technique." Dolata attributed the teaching award to his being approachable and accessible to students. "I consider myself a senior student teaching people who haven't gotten my experience yet," he said, adding, "I emphasize teaching the material rather than assigning grades."
Modaff began teaching at Ohio University in 1995. His course, "The Art of Life: Performance, Self, and Identity," will combine communication, philosophy, performance studies and psychology in an attempt to help students understand that life is a process and that "if we pay attention to the process, the product will follow -- just as with art of any form," Modaff said. He will challenge students to explore such questions as "Who am I?" and "Where am I going?" Modaff said he feels students appreciate his teaching efforts because of his honest approach and attempts to "demystify the educational process."
Weitsman joined the faculty in 1995. Her course will "look at how popular culture creates and propagates the image of the enemy in the international system," focusing on how popular fiction and other media influence and are influenced by current international relations. Weitsman said she feels "so, so honored and very gratified" to be chosen as a University Professor this year, especially in the "community of outstanding instructors" at Ohio University. She said she believes students enjoy her creative approaches to course material and her willingness to take her methods "back to the story board" to foster student comprehension.
White, a faculty member since 1995, said she strives to expose the real-life relevancy of political theory to her students. Her seminar-format University Professor course, "Ethics and Politics of Post-modernism," will allow students to learn not only from her, but from each other. "I think students enjoy listening to other students," she explained. White said she has enjoyed challenging students in the classroom and has been impressed with their abilities. "I've been lucky; I've had a lot of good students," she said.