KU News Release

KU Spanish and Portuguese department honored for exceptional teaching

LAWRENCE — The Department of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of Kansas has received the 2007 Departmental Award for Exceptional Teaching and Learning from the Center for Teaching Excellence. KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway made the announcement April 27.

As part of the award, the Spanish and Portuguese department will receive $10,000 and be honored at the KU Teaching Summit on Aug. 14. In addition, the department will be recognized at the Celebration of Teaching reception May 8.

Center for Teaching Excellence advisory board members who chose the Department of Spanish and Portuguese noted that it has demonstrated a deep commitment to learning, from undergraduate students completing a foreign language requirement to doctoral students who are preparing to be professors. Faculty members in the department have established clear goals for student learning and a system for reflecting on those goals. Board members noted the department’s use of student portfolios to evaluate learning. The department’s impact on the Lawrence community through service learning was also recognized.

Previous recipients of the award include the departments of mechanical engineering, communication studies, chemical and petroleum engineering, English and classics.

The Center for Teaching Excellence considers three areas to distinguish the recipient of the award: establishing a culture of learning with a focus on innovation and collaboration, systematic reflection on department goals for student learning and evidence of student learning.

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