UW-Rock County announced this year's recipients of its two most prestigious teaching awards and the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award.
The teaching awards are given to two instructors who demonstrate a command of their discipline, effective teaching style, interest in student learning and use of instructional technology.
John Pruitt of Janesville, an assistant professor of English, received the 2006-07 Mavis and George Steil Excellence in Teaching Award.
Pruitt started teaching at UW-Rock last fall, but quickly made an impression on his students, according to a UW-Rock news release.
One of the students who nominated Pruitt for the award credits Pruitt as the inspiration to pursue a career as an English teacher. The student wrote: "Dr. John Pruitt is certainly one of the greatest teachers I have ever had, and the most deserving for this award. If he were to be denied this honor, I would consider that a grave injustice."
Pruitt's colleagues also recognize his impact.
"As an English professor, I have found him to be passionate about the subjects he teaches, and he manages to make the most pedestrian assignments interesting and fun," wrote a colleague as part of his nomination papers.
Pruitt received a similar award, the Teaching Excellence Award, at a commencement ceremony just a year ago at UW-Marshfield/Wood County, where he was an assistant professor of English before joining UW-Rock.
Patricia Thom, senior lecturer of communications and theatre arts, received the fourth annual Instructional Academic Staff Excellence in Teaching Award.
Thom's nomination essays praise her knowledge of the subject she teaches and her attention to detail. Comparing her to born communicators such as Ronald Reagan, Oprah Winfrey and Condoleezza Rice, one of her nominators said it's rare to find such a talented communicator who also is a talented teacher.
"Her goal is not only that students learn her course material, but that they gain the skills and confidence to be successful after they leave UW-Rock County," wrote another nominator, adding that Thom is accessible to her students and helps them overcome the fear of public speaking.
Thom is a UW-Rock County alumna. She started working in the library at UW-Rock County in 1977 and began teaching in 1982.
The Outstanding Alumni Award is given to alumni who complete at least 30 credits of course work at UW-Rock and demonstrate success in the areas of community involvement, employment or personal development.
Forty years ago, UW-Rock County opened its doors to the first class of students. The winner of the 2007 UW-Rock County Outstanding Alumni award, George D. Brunner, was a part of that first group of students.
Brunner took courses while serving as a Janesville police officer. After he earned his associate's degree from UW-Rock, he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology from UW-Whitewater and graduated from the FBI academy. He retired in 2004 as Janesville's chief of police after 40 years with the department.
Brunner is serving his second term on the Janesville City Council.
According to Janesville public schools Superintendent Thomas Evert, who nominated Brunner for the award, "Mr. Brunner has consistently held to a value system of community service, individual integrity and hope for the future."
Evert cited Brunner's involvement in promoting and developing programs in drug and alcohol prevention and school safety.
