by Carol O. Hinckley Comment Editor How does one get to be a “Presidential Distinguished Professor?” This year 35 faculty members were nominated by colleagues across campus, screened by a committee of professors and Brady titles four faculty ‘Presidential Distinguished Professors” students, and then personally examined in the classroom by President Brady before the selections were made. But actually becoming a presidential distinguished professor She also believes in being flexible in class assignments. “If a student comes to me with an idea that is “To learn a-language properly you must hear it spoken, speak it, must start long before the awards good, I let them do it instead of the are made. Years of preparation, both in teaching technique and one I chose for the entire class. I economics country as And Dr. He speaks or: i and has also studied Chinese and a little Russian. “Another thing I do is periodically enroll in other classes Deseret News, so she uses her on the campus,” he said. “It puts talent to help students see the importance of effective me in the role of the student and helps me to appreciate their viewpoint as students, and also enables me to observe different communication. — 7 ss When asked if she was surprised at the honor, she smilingly acknowledged her colleagues whom she said “‘work very hard and do a lot of creative things.” “But then,” she acknowledged, “there are very few people around here who do not try to help students personally. We are very interested in the students. This award is not the first for Dr. White. In 1971 she was recognized as “‘Professor of the of §1 — . “I try to teach students HOW to learn,’’ emphasized Dr. Jean Bickmore White, professor of political science. “It is important to make them think -- make them acquainted with Year’’ at WSC; and was awarded the “Outstanding Faculty Member” in the School of Social Sciences in 1979. She originated and has continued to supervise the college’s legislative and local governmental intern programs. When asked what he considered to be the reasons he was singled out from among the nearly 450 faculty on the WSC campus to receive this award. Dr. Oren E. Moffett, professor of foreign languages, said one of the reasons has to be that he tries to promote maximum student involvement in his classes. “‘In my classes we do a lot of role playing -- put the languages to use,” he said, explaining that from the first day of class he speaks only the language being taught to “The mild mannered Clark personalities don’t make it in education,’’ smiled Dr. Richard Alston, professor of economics. He pointed out the people wh have received this award the pé two years. “They are original ani abo ace as| T can feel controversial in the sense thatthe ‘sho tell students that the textbookis not always 100% right, and are honest enough to admit they are not always right, or are presentin stu their own views.” Alston hands to each of his students on the first day of class a full page on what he calls “The Art of Teaching.” It begins ‘“‘And if students are he is concerned about them, but it also motivates them to strive the students. Page 4 in the class, and not just a number,” he said. He finds that this personal contact not only makes the student know government the rest of their lives, and it is her aim to get all of her and see something they don’t like, mustaches -- my-goal is to get-my students to laugh every half hour.” Moffett tries to appeal to as many senses as possible. Another method he has found successful is to make the students know he cares about them. “I try to identify them as individuals call them on the telephone. They express complete surprise,’’ he smiled. their questions,”’ she continued. Dr. White said that everyone is going to be involved in some sort of they’ll know how to ask the right questions about things like the tax base and the form of government -how to change what they don’t like.”’ One of the assignments for each of her classes is to write a letter to a congressman. “They don’t have to mail it,’’ she quickly added, “‘but they do have to understand the way it is done.” He said he is always looking for new and innovative teaching techniques to insure learning. ‘‘I use lots of tricks,” he grinned. ‘‘I get in the desk in my classroom, get hats, glasses, wigs, and absent from the class about three times, I will sources in government as well as in the library to find out answers to students involved in politics -- even when their political philosophies differ from her own. “TI put them out into the community to learn while they’re still students,’ she said. ‘Then, when they move into a community teaching approaches to enhance my own performance.” for higher achievement in the class. “If they do exceptionally well, I will make lauditory marks on their exams, also,”’ he continued. “Or I will discuss with them any low grades after class, and try to help them understand what concept they’re missing.” He said he also is willing to discuss personal problems with his students, and maintains an open-door policy to them. Can you sit back now and rest on this achievement? I questioned. “No! No!’ he laughed. “I’m really on the spot now! q?? “T expect and demand outstanding performance frarc my students. “T intend to reward your efforts by being equally demanding of myself. . .” And he lives up to the 4 self-imposed challenge. It’s not unusual for students t@ have to read 10 or 15 completely different orientations other than the course textbook. “And without exception,” he continued, ‘‘they have to read at least two books that are diametrically opposed to the subject matter I am teaching.” “‘Poor little buggars have to struggle with that,’’ he smiled but when the class is over, they understand the subject. He complained that too often students are being what he calls “‘spoon fed.” 8&8ae Shee | Brote Italian, Portuguese, and German, for helping the students improve their writing skills. Prior to coming to WSC she worked as a reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune and the g have culminated into the formation of these master teachers. To find out what sets them apart, let’s look into the classrooms of the four professors who will henceforth and forever be titled ‘Presidential Distinguished try to get people actively involved,’ she smiled. Dr. White says she is a stickler and the history of the well,” he continued. Moffett should know. fluent Spanish, French, ‘“‘The teacher says ‘Here are thé questions, and here are the¢ -- come back in two weeks andi me what you know.’” ™— “e attitude toward teaching students, and learn the culture, geography,