History and chemistry profs named teachers of the year at UBC Okanagan

From left: Dr. Maurice Williams, UBC Okanagan Provost Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, and Dr. Stephen McNeil. (Photo by Michel Heroux)

Dynamic. Innovative. Inspiring. They’re just three ways used to describe this year’s top teachers at UBC Okanagan.

At a reception Thursday evening, UBC Okanagan Provost Alaa Abd-El-Aziz recognized Stephen McNeil, assistant professor of chemistry, and Maurice Williams, associate professor of history, as the teachers of the year.

“Each year UBC Okanagan recognizes an outstanding professor as the recipient of the Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation — essentially our Teacher of the Year,” said Abd-El-Aziz. “This year I am proud to see two of our faculty members co-receiving the award. I feel this is a testament of the strength of our faculty and their teaching.”

McNeil is known for creating a student-centered learning environment, where he dedicates time and effort to empower his students and inspire them to become critical thinkers, said Abd-El-Aziz. “His approach to teaching is innovative and dynamic, and he has played a very important role in curriculum development, creating undergraduate and graduate inorganic chemistry courses for the benefit of our students.”

The creativity and passion Williams brings into his teaching role at UBC Okanagan is truly inspiring, said the Provost. “He goes above and beyond expectations to deliver courses that both engage and challenge his students. Dr. Williams introduced summer field courses as part of his Myra Canyon research project, demonstrating his interdisciplinary approach to teaching through a unique combination of teaching, research and service to the community.”

The Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation will be formally presented to McNeil and Williams at UBC Okanagan’s convocation ceremony on June 7. The two professors will share the $5,000 prize, join the UBC Okanagan Academy of Teaching Excellence, and participate in the selection process for future teaching award nominees.
Also commended for teaching excellence were 31 members of faculty selected by UBC Okanagan students for the Teaching Honour Roll. The honour roll recognizes professors who are among the top 10 per cent in student evaluations of teaching effectiveness.

Teaching Honour Roll

Faculty members named to the Teaching Honour Roll are:

Faculty of Education
Peter Arthur
Veronica Gaylie
Colleen Lindsay

Faculty of Health and Social Development
Corinne Crockett
Alan Davidson
Lisa Davidson
Andy Doyle
Kim Elser
Patti Hart
Rachelle Hole
Fay Karp
Cathy Robinson
Sally Willis-Stewart
Bonny Taylor
Jeanette Vinek
Wilda Watts

Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences
Jan Cioe
Paul Davies
Mark Holder
Ramon Lawrence
Blair Spearman
Jon Vickery
Maurice Williams
Michael Woodworth
Greg Younging

Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies
Robert Eggleston
Anne Fleming
Marianne Legault
Paul Milton
Edmond Rivere

School of Engineering
Jonathan Holzman

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