Three instructors received awards at NDSU’s annual Teaching and Learning Conference held May 24. Awards were given in three categories: Innovation in Teaching – Large Enrollment, Innovation in Teaching – Small Enrollment and Inspiring Colleague.

The Innovation in Teaching – Large Enrollment Award was presented to Tori Rude, Department of Pharmacy Practice. The award recognizes an individual who has exhibited creativity to elicit high levels of student engagement and learning in their classroom environment. Large enrollment classes consist of 40 or more students.

“Rude innovated a completely new way of content delivery by designing a simulation to introduce first-year pharmacy students to skills used by community pharmacists during patient interviewing,  product selection and patient education prior to their summer internship,” her nomination letter said. “The results of this innovation have been translated to three other schools of pharmacy and has been accepted for publication. NDSU is on the forefront of virtual pharmacy use for student education thanks to her dedication.”

The Innovation in Teaching – Small Enrollment Award was presented to Sara Berger, School of Nursing. The award recognizes an individual who has exhibited creativity to elicit high levels of student engagement and learning in their classroom environment. Small enrollment classes consist of fewer than 40 students.

Her nomination letter said, “Berger incorporates various creative teaching strategies to elicit high levels of student engagement and learning. Some examples include a website creation assignment, Facebook mystery diagnosis and inflammatory cartoon, which is a student favorite. Berger uses several teaching strategies and different platforms during lectures, including Prezi, PowerPoint, Poll Everywhere, Case Studies and Turning Point. Her brilliant use of technology and social media in the classroom exhibits creativity to provoke high levels of student engagement and learning.”

The Inspiring Colleague Award was presented to Jill Johnson, School of Nursing. The award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in sharing ideas and supporting others in creating effective learning environments.

“Johnson is committed to student success and goes above and beyond in supporting other faculty in the nursing program to ensure that all faculty are offering the best in nursing education,” her nomination letter said. “She does this by demonstrating nursing education best practices combined with a positive attitude. Jill Johnson inspires me every day to be a better nurse educator. She is the embodiment of this award.”

Each award recipient received a $100 NDSU Bookstore gift card.

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