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News Release

July 27, 2007

Profs Honoured for Teaching Excellence

Two University of Guelph professors have received a new provincial award that recognizes teaching excellence.

Pathology professor Andrew Peregrine and mathematics professor Jack Weiner are among the first recipients of the inaugural Leadership in Faculty Teaching (LIFT) Award. The new honour was developed to recognize and encourage teaching excellence in Ontario’s colleges and universities.

It will be awarded annually to up to 100 faculty who influence, motivate and inspire students, as well as demonstrate leadership in teaching methods.

“Andrew and Jack are highly valued faculty members, and I am delighted that their outstanding dedication and skills as both lecturers and mentors have been recognized by the province,” said Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic).

“These two professors are an example of how the University of Guelph is a leader in innovative and effective teaching.”

Peregrine, a faculty member in the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) for 10 years, teaches clinical parasitology, the diagnosis and management of parasite infections in domestic species. He won OVC’s 2001 Pfizer Carl Norden Distinguished Teaching Award and is a three-time winner of the K.M. Bhatnagar Memorial Humanitarian Award, which is awarded by student selection. He is also involved in the International Medicine Club, Global Vets, Veterinarians Without Borders and OVC’s Summer Leadership Program.

“I am flattered and honoured to be nominated for this award,” said Peregrine. “This award is a testament to the progressive teaching philosophy at the University and OVC. OVC has been very active in promoting innovative teaching techniques, and this has allowed people like me to try out new things. Much of what I have learned has come from watching and listening to other people who are effective teachers, then adding my own style to it.”

This is Weiner’s 25th year teaching mathematics at the University. He is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the 2007 University of Guelph Central Student Association Award for Teaching Excellence and a 1994 Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations teaching award. He has also been cited as a “Popular Professor” in Maclean’s annual Canada-wide university survey eight years out of nine. He is a director of the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education and an executive of the Grand Valley Mathematics Association.

Currently, Weiner is participating in a University of Guelph/Maplesoft research initiative that involves developing innovative and efficient uses for technology in mathematics and science education. “New technologies and traditional teaching, well integrated, are leading to better, deeper, sustained learning in and beyond the classroom,” he said. “Class is more fun, too!”

LIFT award recipients receive $20,000 over two years, along with a commemorative pin and certificate from the provincial government.

“Excellence in undergraduate teaching is central to the mission of the University of Guelph,” said Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph-Wellington. “I am delighted that Profs. Jack Weiner and Andrew Peregrine are being recognized with LIFT awards for their outstanding contributions to teaching at U of G."