Keeping more than 100 students attentive during a science lecture is no easy task.
Just ask Don Miller, who does it on a weekly basis from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters鈥 Department of Natural Sciences.
It takes a combination of humor, quick wit and profound knowledge to keep students alert during lectures.
Miller exudes all of those qualities, and that鈥檚 why he received the University鈥檚 inaugural Collegiate Lectureship award.
鈥淭his is a terrific campus and we have pretty terrific students, so it鈥檚 really nice to deal with the students that we have,鈥 Miller said.
Clearly, some of those students feel the same way about Miller.
鈥淎s a lecturer and lab instructor, Professor Miller is exceptional,鈥 one nominator wrote. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 throwing a foam brick at students (without letting us know it wasn鈥檛 real) or having students participate in experimental demonstrations, Professor Miller knows how to get a group of 100-plus students to pay attention. Without a doubt, it takes commitment and hard work to succeed in his courses, but having a professor like Don Miller is motivation in itself to work hard.鈥
Miller was among a long list of LEO faculty members nominated for this year鈥檚 award, but his long tenure at 黑料福利网-Dearborn and teaching prowess set him apart.
鈥淚n the end, the faculty committee reviewing the nominations agreed that Don Miller鈥檚 record of teaching excellence and service to the university over the course of his 33 years on campus not only exemplifies the spirit of this award, but also represents a most appropriate model for the first in this category,鈥 wrote Provost Kate Davy in an email to faculty and staff.
The Collegiate Lecturer Program is designed to recognize exceptional individuals and is given in recognition of LEO faculty members who illustrate excellence both in the classroom and in service to the campus community.
In recognition of his accomplishments, Miller will receive a one-time stipend of $1,000 to support teaching and professional development and will be given the honorary title of 鈥淐ollegiate Lecturer.鈥
Miller also will be recognized at the University鈥檚 annual honors award dinner on March 27.
