Augustana Faculty and Staff Recognized at University of Alberta's Celebrate! Event

Professor Kim Misfeldt and Teaching and Learning Specialist Robert Brennan were recognized for their outstanding achievement in teaching, learning and research at the Celebrate! Event on Wednesday September 21st.

Tia Lalani - 23 September 2016

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Dr. Kim Misfeldt, Dean Allen Berger, and Robert Brennan at Wednesday's Celebrate! Event.

On Wednesday night, North campus hosted the University of Alberta's Celebrate! Teaching, Learning and Research event, during which two members of the Augustana community were recognized for their outstanding achievement in their chosen fields. Robert Brennan and Dr. Kim Misfeldt were acknowledged, and joined on stage by Dean Allen Berger, who helped present their awards.

Robert Brennan, a Teaching and Learning Specialist at Augustana, received the Innovation Award from the Canadian University Council of Chief Information Officers (CUCCIO). The Innovation Award recognizes innovative IT projects or initiatives that have significantly advanced teaching, learning, research or administration within an institution or in the community. Brennan's work and success with the DidUKnow Technology Training Initiative won him this award, a project that allows staff, students and faculty to easily access technological tools and resources. DidUKnow is made up of short, informational sessions that use an experiential learning approach to maximize training. The program was designed to be successful across all departments, disciplines and skillsets, and focuses on topics like "How to Use Excel's Fill Handle and Flash Fills" and "How to Use Tasks in Google Apps," to provide useful technological information in an easily digestible and non-exhaustive format.

Dr. Kim Misfeldt was awarded a McCalla Professorship, which recognizes faculty members for their outstanding contributions to the University community and their commitment to integrate research, teaching and learning throughout their careers. The professorships also provide funding for research and teaching initiatives. Dr. Misfeldt's project, entitled "After Coming Home: Study Abroad Returnees" seeks to investigate the experience of former study abroad students and incorporate their feedback into future programming, teaching and assessment on the Canadian Summer School in Germany. Dr. Misfeldt is the Director of the Canadian Summer School in Germany, teaches German language, literature, and women's studies courses, is Augustana's Acting vice Dean, a 3M National Teaching Fellow and has recently received the Charles Dunn COPLAC Award for Outstanding Faculty Commitment to Student Success.

"Both Kim and Robert have made exemplary contributions to advance teaching and learning at Augustana" Dean Allen Berger noted, after the ceremony. "It was an honor to help present their awards in Edmonton and to see them recognized by the full university." Congratulations Kim and Robert!