William B. Irvine

Dr. William Irvine, Professor of Philosophy, has taught in the University Honors Program for several years, and this year taught an Honors section of Great books:  Philosophy.  Throughout the years, Honors students have described him as challenging and provocative and this year was no exception.  Indeed, as one of his students said:  “Whatever you believe, Dr. Irvine will challenge it from every possible angle, and make you defend it however you can, and he will help you discover more about your beliefs than any book ever could.”  Other students noted that they found him to be more than just a teacher—he was also a mentor and friend who was always available for consultation and help.  As comments like these demonstrate, Dr. Irvine embodies the ideal Honors Teacher. 

Roy L. Vice

Dr. Roy L. Vice, the 2002 Honors Teacher of the Year, has taught Honors sections of the Western Civilization survey for the past nine years. Honors students have repeatedly described him as challenging, interesting, engaging, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. And as they stated in their nomination letter, Honors students admire his ability to "break down the student/teacher barrier and create a classroom environment in which students from diverse backgrounds can learn the diverse beliefs and values of the teacher and the other students in the class."

John Morrisette

John Morrisette, an adjunct instructor for the Department of Political Science and the Honors Program, was announced as the Honors Teacher of the Year for 2000-2001 at the annual Honors Recognition and Award celebration on June 6. He began teaching in the Honors Program in 1997. Since then, he has taught sections of PLS 200, UH 202, and UH 400, always to rave reviews by his students. One student was succinct: "Morrisette, no question is the best Honors teacher I have had. His ability to start discussions and to make his students think makes him one of the best." Another student calls him "fantastic" and says he challenges his students to see all sides of every issue. Yet another, completing a third course with Morrisette, says his teaching methods are entirely different than those of all other teachers and concludes: "I've never been so challenged or so enriched by any class in my life. I thoroughly recommend this professor for teacher of the year."

Charles S. Larkowski

The Honors Program Teacher of the Year, Charles S. Larkowski, Associate Professor of Music, joins distinguished company. The 13th annual recipient, he follows such fine teacher as Jim Hughes, Jerry Hubschman, John Fortman, Susan Carrafiello, and Jim Sayer. He also shares with them many of the characteristics of a good teacher. To quote from the letter of nomination his students wrote: He had high expectations. He worked hard. He wanted to be there. He took extra time to do something for serious music -- in this case, a trip to Memorial Hall for the Dayton Philharmonia Orchestra. He valued the opinions of his students. The students gained something -- an appreciation for serious music -- that will stay with them for a lifetime. What more could anyoone ask of a general education course -- even an Honors section. Dr. Larkowski's selection is all the more remarkable because he teaches one Honors course approximately every other year and always in the winter. That his students mounted a campaign on his behalf late in the spring testifies to his lasting impact. It is my great pleasure to present to you the Honors Teacher of the Year, Charles S. Larkowski.

Bobby Rubin

Students appreciate Bobby Rubin's personalized approach to education. He makes sure he gets to know each student and that everyone understands the assignments. He enriches his classes with field trips, speakers, conversation partners, and films. Students report good class discussions and stimulating guest speakers. Because he varies assignments and allows for creativity, students feel they can showcase their particular talents.

Jim Sayer

One student who was earning a second college degree said: "Dr. Sayer is by far the best instructor I have had." He is able to get everyone involved and keep everyone interested. Students love his humor, his satire, his side bars. He creates a stress-free environment where, students say, it is easy to learn.

Susan Carrafiello

"Enthusiastic" is the word most often used by students to describe Susan Carrafiello. They also say "she really knows her stuff" and report that she is very well organized. They think her class is pretty hard, and they recommend attending every class and reading the book. Many students swear they didn't like history until they had Dr. Carrafiello. She can make even history seem like fun.

John Fortman

Chemistry Professor John Fortman was named Honors Teacher of the Year for 1994-95 last May at the annual banquet at Kitty's. Dr. Fortman helped to develop the UH 203: Studies in the Natural Sciences course and was one of the members of the team of scientists who taught it the first year. Since then he designed an introductory chemistry course for Honors students: CHM 191, 192, 193. His evalutations for that course are always among the very best. Students appreciate his clear explanations, fair tests, interesting lively lectures -- basically, his overall student-friendly approach to teaching. We in the Honors Office appreciate professional attitude, the way he supports our activities, but mostly the way he treats our students. It couldn't have happened to a nicer, more desrving guy. Congratulations!

Paul Lockhart

Paul lockhart, an assistant professor in the History Department, was named Honors Teacher of the Year at the Honors banquet last May. Students have nominated Paul in each of the last three years. They find his lectures fascinating, his test fair, and his humor enlivening. We'll all look forward to his remarks at the dinner this spring. I'm sure he won't mention the Thrity Years War, even though he's lately written a book on the subject.

Robert O'Donnell

At the annual Honors banquet, Robert O'Donnell was named Honors Teacher of the Year for 1991-92. Dr. O'Donnell had been strongly supported by his students for the award every year since its inception. He has taught the Honors Psychology 105 and 110 courses for several years as an adjunct. In addition to a Ph.D. in Psychology, Dr. O'Donnell is also a retired USAF Colonel. But for a retired, part-time worker, he stays terribly busy with research and consulting and teaching. He brings an enthusiasm and professionalism to his classes that his students find contagious. When his name was announced at the dinner, there was long and loud applause. It turns out that half or more of those students in attendance had studied psychology with Bob O'Donnell, and they let him know that they appreicated the kind of teacher that he is.

Dr. Donna Schlagheck

Leading the Honors seminar on international terrorism (UH 400) has been one of the academic highlights for me since I joined the WSU faculty in the fall of 1985. The intellectual energy that fills the seminar room often becomes quite intense (not to mention some of the debates that take place). One of the strengths of the Honors Program is the contact it promotes between students and faculty. I have had the opportunity to interact with Honors students in seminars, in small Honors sections of General Education courses, on thesis projects, and serving together on the University Honors Committee. Of greatest interest to me has been the diversity of students in the program. In the terrorism seminar, for example, history majors, engineering majors, and pre-med students argue and discuss, debate, and critique material new to all of them. Although the seminar is sometimes unpredictable, and the Honors students diverse, they invariably respond to each other's curiosity and energy.

At present, I am considering several possibilities for new UH 200 or 400 course proposals, including "America in Vietnam" and a "US-Japanese Foreign Relations" course. Having spent part of this summer in San Diego at the Japan Studies Institute, my interests in the Pacific Rim have been renewed and I hope to share some of the ideas raised there with students in the Honors Program.