DIGGS TEACHING SCHOLAR AWARDS - 2002

Megan Boler, Associate Professor, Department of Teaching and Learning.  Megan is honored today for being a passionate and inspiring educator and for her service to the academic community.  Her fields of interest include education, philosophy, women’s studies and cultural studies, in which she is widely published. Among her many projects since joining the faculty in 1998, is the creation of a Diversity Resources Center that K-12 teachers can use to develop curriculum inclusive of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.

Bill Snizek, Alumni Distinguished Professor, Department of Sociology.  Bill is honored today as an outstanding teacher of sociology and an important contributor to the teaching culture at Virginia Tech.  In his 30th year at Tech, Bill places the needs of his students first, as he continues to experiment with and employ innovative practices in his classes.  He is especially recognized for developing numerous methods to enhance learning in the large lecture class, including the “Sociological I.Q. Test,” used to help students recognize cultural stereotypes and become more open-minded.

John Seiler, Professor, Department of Forestry.  John is honored today as an innovator in the development of multimedia computer software and distance education technologies, and for his efforts to improve forestry education beyond Tech’s campus.  His novel approach to the field of forestry led to his creation of the multimedia electronic textbook, Forest Biology, and multimedia plant identification program, Woody Plants of North America, which has been shown to significantly improve student performance in the identification of forest plants.