(August 25, 2020) It is with great pleasure that the Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning and the Centre for Academic Excellence of Laurentian University announce this year’s recipients of the Teaching Excellence Awards and Teaching Fellowships. Join us in congratulating Dr. Tammy Gaber, Dr. Diana Urajnik, Dr. Jorge Virchez, and Dr. Robert Schinke.
McEwen School of Architecture (MSoA) professor Tammy Gaber is the recipient of this year’s Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Gaber was one of the founding faculty members at the MSoA and recently finished her term as Graduate Coordinator. Dr. Gaber believes challenging the canon, by including diverse perspectives, is fundamental to preparing students for the global reality of architecture in a more empathetic and relevant manner. Dr. Gaber says, “it is with great pride I see the trajectories of my former and current students.”
Sessional Instructor for Psychology; Human Kinetics; NOSM; School of Rural and Northern Health, Dr. Diana Urajnik, is the recipient of the Part-time Teaching Excellence Award. Dr. Urajnik. She has been described as someone who “provide[s] unparalleled guidance and support.”
Full Professor in the Department of Geography, Dr. Jorge Virchez is the recipient for Laurentian’s Teaching Fellowship Program. In his role as teaching fellow, Dr. Virchez hopes to support faculty members, administrative staff, and students to have a better understanding of internationalisation, cultural diversity, religions and teaching techniques regarding international issues. “I give my 100% during each class by creating ways of keeping the desire of the student to listen to me by enjoying the class while learning” says Dr. Virchez in a recent interview.
Human Kinetics Professor, Dr. Robert Schinke, is the recipient of the Laurentian Teaching Fellowship Program.“What I share with students is value-based, content-based, and grounded in practicality,” saids Dr. Schinke in a recent interview. “Working selflessly to move further forward brings meaning in our work and hopefully to our students.”
“These awards celebrate teaching that has lasting, positive effects on students and deepens their learning” Serge Demers, former Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost of Laurentian University. “It is a pleasure to give these remarkable educators the recognition they deserve.”