Prof Makes 'Top 20' Best Lecturers List
December 08, 2008 - News Release
A University of Guelph professor has been named one of 20 semifinalists in TVO's 2009 Big Ideas Best Lecturer Competition. Prof. Patrick Parnaby of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology now advances to the next phase of the competition.
A three-member jury will view video submissions of the semifinalists and compile a "Top 10" list. The 10 finalists will deliver complete televised lectures on TVO's Big Ideas starting Feb. 28. Viewers will be invited to grade each of the finalists to help determine the eventual overall champion, to be announced April 11.
Parnaby said he was "blown away" by the news. "I absolutely love engaging my students in lectures from one week to the next. To be recognized in this way is really an honour," he said.
Parnaby was among four U of G professors who were nominated for the annual Best Lecturer competition. The others were Prof. Jamie Gruman, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Prof. Stephen Powell, Department of English and Theatre Studies; and instructor Martin Williams of the Department of Physics.
In total, 160 professors were nominated across Ontario. TVO's production team viewed video submissions of the nominated professors and narrowed the list down to 20 lecturers.
Sponsored by TD Insurance Meloche Monnex, the Best Lecturer Competition was created to recognize the best and brightest lecturers at Ontario's colleges and universities. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship for his or her school. Watch a video clip of Parnaby's "Top 20" lecture
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338/lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Barry Gunn, Ext. 56982/bagunn@uoguelph.ca
