Three Distinguished University Lecturers were recognized April 20 during a ceremony in Doermann Theater.
“Appointment to the rank of Distinguished University Lecturer is the highest permanent honor The University of Toledo can bestow on a lecturer,” Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said.
“Those named Distinguished University Lecturer have earned recognition and distinction as educators, advancing student learning, facilitating and supporting student success, and demonstrating a commitment to the University’s educational mission.”
The duration of the appointment as a Distinguished University Lecturer is unlimited, and the title may be retained after a lecturer has retired from the University.
The three Distinguished University Lecturers, holding their certificates from left, Dr. Susanne Nonekowski, Dr. Joseph Hara and Teresa Keefe, posed for a photo during the April 20 ceremony in Doermann Theater with, from left, Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; President Sharon L. Gaber; and Dr. Jamie Barlowe, interim vice provost for faculty affairs and dean of the College of Arts and Letters.
Named Distinguished University Lecturers were:
• Dr. Joseph Hara, senior lecturer in the Department of Foreign Languages in the College of Arts and Letters. He has taught at UT since 1987, first as a Japanese instructor and then as a lecturer. He is the director of the Japanese Program.
“Dr. Hara developed a minor degree program in Japanese, now the second highest enrolled Japanese program in the state, following Ohio State University,” one nominator wrote. “Dr. Hara is well-known for never saying no to a student who needs his support and for his promotion of study abroad, taking students to Japan each summer for cultural and language immersion, as well as developing exchange programs with Japanese universities, including Aichi University. Some UT graduates were able to successfully find jobs in Japan after their degree completion because of the programs that Dr. Hara established and continues to lead. His exemplary teaching evaluations also attest to the impact he has on the lives and the success of students. He received the University Outstanding Teaching Award in 2002.”
• Teresa Keefe, senior lecturer in the Department of Information Operations and Technology Management in the College of Business and Innovation. She has been teaching at UT 13 years. Keefe is the faculty adviser to the Association for Information Technology Professionals.
“She continuously develops new and innovative courses, incorporating new technologies, and providing active learning experiences for her students, including flipped classes and service learning, all contributing to student retention and graduation rates,” one nominator wrote. “Over my 37 years at the University, I have never seen the likes of Teresa in terms of teaching, service and dedication to the betterment of students.” A former student wrote, “If I was asked who outside my immediate family had the largest impact on my education and professional growth, without hesitation, ‘Teresa Keefe’ would be blurted out.” And another graduate noted, “I owe my success to Teresa Keefe. She is an exceedingly wonderful professor, mentor and friend. The amount of dedication that she pours into her passion daily is inspiring.”
• Dr. Susanne Nonekowski, associate lecturer in the Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry in the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She began teaching at the University in 2001.
“Dr. Nonekowski is often the earliest adopter of active learning methods such as clickers and Blackboard chat rooms; she won an Assessment Award in the college in 2014 and mentors other faculty who are incorporating assessment in their courses,” one nominator wrote. “She received an Innovations in Teaching Award in 2015, and she was nominated for a University Outstanding Teaching Award in 2010.” A graduate wrote, “I believe that Dr. N. is truly in a league all her own when it comes to her teaching style, her abundant ability, and her academic perspective. She is not only compassionate and knowledgeable, but also a lecturer who makes learning interesting and fun.” A student wrote, “It is clear that the instructor really knows her stuff, and her passion and understanding for the material had a great impact on my learning.”
