FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2002 CONTACT Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE PRESENTS TOP TEACHING, MENTORING AWARDS Drake University has presented its top awards for teaching and mentoring to Jody Swilky, associate professor of English, and Darrel Bjornson, associate professor of pharmacy administration. Swilky received the 2002 Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and Bjornson received the 2002 Madelyn M. Levitt Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award. These awards were created in 1994 by Madelyn M. Levitt, national chair of Campaign Drake and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. In announcing the Levitt Award winners at the Spring Faculty/Staff Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, Drake Provost Ronald Troyer shared comments from Drake students and faculty members who wrote letters of nomination and support for Swilky and Bjornson. "Since coming to Drake in 1988, Jody Swilky has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to and talent for all aspects of teaching, from curriculum development and reform, to classroom performance," Troyer said, quoting from a letter written by professor Joe Lenz, chair of the English Department. Troyer also quoted from a letter by one of Swilky's former students who wrote that "Professor Swilky had a talent for facilitating discussion that always led to productive, insightful, and even fun dialogue. I looked forward to going to class and learning with an intensity and hunger I had not previously known." In accepting the award, Swilky said, "The teaching of reading and writing is often defined as no more than helping students learn basic skills for decoding and encoding discourse. This, of course, is what teachers of English do at the simplest level of their work. But to teach close reading and critical writing is to encourage students to develop a critical aesthetic – a perspective on what is possible, powerful and persuasive." Troyer presented the Madelyn M. Levitt Mentor of the Year Award to Bjornson, a practicing pharmacist for 25 years before he joined the Drake faculty in 1992. In making the presentation, he noted that Bjornson has described his philosophy of mentoring in these terms: "It's quite simple – set an example, be available and be caring." Troyer then quoted from a letter by Chuck Phillips, associate professor of pharmacy administration, who wrote that "Professor Bjornson’s mentoring ability goes beyond advising students. He is an ‘equal opportunity mentor' – mentoring both students and colleagues. He has helped many young faculty members in our college begin their research careers. I believe Dr. Bjornson represents what Madelyn Levitt envisioned a mentor to be: a collaborator rather than a director; a resource rather than an authority; an adviser rather than a preacher; a peer rather than a superior; and, most importantly, a friend rather than someone ‘just doing the job.'" Bjornson also has earned the gratitude of many students. One student wrote that "Outside of the classroom, Dr. Bjornson can be found advising students on career opportunities, finding internships, working with them on research projects, and listening to frustration and personal hardships. His sympathetic ear has gained him the resounding praises of countless students. He treats everyone he meets like a professional and can really make you feel like he is listening to you, and helping you to the best of his ability. He never asks for anything in return, he merely smiles and laughs with you like a true friend." In accepting the award, Bjornson said he values his relationships with students as much as he once valued his relationships with patients. Then he posed the question: "How am I likely to remember these students?" He answered it this way: "Will I remember what I taught them? Unlikely. Will I remember the advice I gave them? I doubt it. Will I remember specific research topics that they worked on? Probably not. Will I remember the very special relationships that developed? Most certainly! Again, to the students whom I have had the pleasure to work with over the years and especially to the students and others who supported this nomination – thank you very much. You will remain vivid in my mind – I will not forget you!"