Muriel Brown, associate professor of English, was awarded the 2009 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Educator Award at the College Honors brunch on Nov. 7. During her career, which has spanned four decades, Brown has received awards honoring her teaching (Vogel Teaching Award), scholarship (Phi Kappa Phi) and service (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Outstanding Service Award). The Outstanding Educator Award recognizes her excellence in all three areas.
"Brown’s innovative teaching techniques exhibit a genuine concern for student learning and growth," said Elizabeth Birmingham, one of Brown's colleagues. "Her teaching is innovative because she continues to teach new courses, bring new knowledge into the classroom and actively participate in campuswide teaching initiatives."
Brown began her career at NDSU at a time when teachers taught four courses each quarter. Despite this heavy load of 12 classes or more per year, she published and presented regularly and continues to present her research at professional meetings every year. She has published on subjects ranging from Willa Cather to college writing, despite being known as the resident Medievalist. She has written more than 40 conference papers and peer reviewed articles during her career. She also has edited five textbooks used in first-year English programs at NDSU and other universities through the 1980s and 1990s.
Brown’s service record demonstrates excellence. During her tenure in the English department, she has assumed nearly every role from professor to chair, and has served on or led nearly every departmental committee.
For the college, she has served repeatedly on the important Promotion, Tenure and Evaluation Committee, her most recent service ending last year. She also has served on the Student Progress Committee; Career Day Committee (which she chaired for many years); Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty and Lecturer Recognition Committee; and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Awards Committee.
Her service to the university is even more impressive. She has served the University Senate in some capacity for a total of 14 years, including time as parliamentarian and member of the Executive Committee. She also has served on the Women’s Week Committee from the time of its founding for 10 consecutive years, Student Affairs Committee, Faculty Affairs Committee, Career Services Faculty Advisory Board, Student Retention Commission and Commission on Alcohol and Other Drugs.
"She exemplifies the kind of outstanding teacher who has offered service to the university, discipline and college, as well an ongoing research engagement," Birmingham said. "Looking at the sweep of Dr. Brown's career, one can see clearly the connections between teaching, scholarship and service. She has taught the widest range of classes with distinction, has incorporated her scholarship into that central mission of the university and has served the department, college and university with intelligent leadership and quiet humor. It is the sum total of this sweep that makes Dr. Muriel Brown the 2009 Outstanding Educator for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences."
