 "Photo: Deborah Lykins")
Philip Doty plans to buy a new washing machine, thanks to a Texas Exes Teaching Award he won as an outstanding professor in the School of Information.
"My wife and I were just talking about how our washing machine is starting to die," Doty said. "Low and behold, the good karma of the University gives us an unexpected blessing."
Student committees from the Senate of College Councils and councils of individual colleges across campus are surprising more than 25 professors, teaching assistants and assistant instructors with the awards this week.
Professors will receive $1,000 and teaching assistants and assistant instructors will get $500 at a banquet in the spring, said Taryn Deaton, director of campus relations and spokesperson for the Texas Exes.
The recipients are nominated and selected by students, she said.
Funded by the alumni association, professors have been awarded since 1982. The teaching assistant and assistant instructor awards - funded by the Office of the President - began in 1991.
"Why would an alumni association want to give faculty awards? It doesn't seem like something that fits in with our mission, but we look at strengthening the student experience," Deaton said. "If students have a positive experience while at the University they'll want to remain involved as alumni."
Doty said he was "absolutely floored" when students surprised him with the award during class last week.
"You like to think you are a good teacher," Doty said. "I'm very demanding, and it's really gratifying that students appreciate that I ask them to work even harder than they think they can."
The Communication Council awarded Cauleen Smith, an assistant radio-television-film professor, and Tim Steffensmeier, an assistant instructor in communication studies during their classes Monday.
Smith, who began her second year at the University this semester, said she will use the money to study Spanish in Mexico.
"I really push students really hard and make them do deadlines and pretty actively criticize their work," Smith said. "It's really nice to know that it's good, that they like it."
Matt Robertson, a radio-television-film junior, said he likes Smith because she is "abrasive."
"Sometimes it pisses you off, but it's OK because you know that at least you're thinking," Robertson said.
Smith said her favorite part of teaching is watching the students develop throughout the semester.
"Just seeing that growth process is so fun," Smith said. "It's really nice to be the person facilitating that growth."
Steffensmeier, a third year Ph.D. student in communication studies, said he will buy books with his $500 award.
"I just want my Ph.D.," Steffensmeier said. "[The award is] going to go towards that. That's what I want for Christmas."
Gisele Davila, a pre-journalism freshman, said she can see Steffensmeier's passion in his lectures.
"He is the most passionate, caring and considerate man that I've met on this campus so far," she said.
The School of Nursing announced Patricia Carter and Lisa Gloyna as recipients of the award, and the School of Social Work awarded Lori Holleran and Brianne Ungar, Deaton said. Other recipients will be surprised throughout the week.
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