Learning Ventures recently celebrated three individuals at the University who have made a big impact in distance learning at The University of Toledo.
Dr. David Meabon, associate professor of higher education in the College of Social Justice and Human Service, and director of the John H. Russel Center for Educational Leadership, received the DiAnne M. Masztak Award.
The award is presented annually to an individual in the greater University community who has supported online learning and educational technology in a distinguished fashion. Meabon has been teaching online at UT since 2001.
“DiAnne is a very special individual who provided incredible service to the University,” Meabon said. “The award I received could only be achieved by the service I got through Learning Ventures, so it is quite an honor to have that connection with her.”
Kevin Gibbs, associate lecturer in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, received the Ella Fridman Award for exhibiting pedagogically sound and student-centered instruction in an online course.
Fridman was a faculty member in the Engineering Technology Department and a pioneer in online learning. She was one of the first faculty members to start converting courses to online versions.
“She was always optimistically energetic and had a work ethic that did not quit,” said Susan Shelangoskie, former instructional designer for Learning Ventures who is now an associate professor of English at Lourdes University.
“It is nice to be recognized for your work, and I am extremely humbled and honored to have received this award,” Gibbs said.
Justin Ballard, director of learning and academic technology for Learning Ventures, received the Mark A. Yeary Award. The honor is presented annually to an employee of Learning Ventures for exhibiting exemplary dedication to his or her work and for serving members of the UT community.
“I am very humbled having worked with Mark for a number of years. He was an amazing individual, a very hard-working person who was passionate about helping others,” Ballard said. “To be nominated for an award in his name is a great honor.”
Dr. Barbara Kopp Miller, associate provost for online education, said the awards are a way to acknowledge the hard work of individuals and the impact they have made with online learning at UT.
