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| Vol. 18, No. 12 | Nov. 19, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 12 | Nov. 19, 1998 |
Lesa Griffiths, animal science, was honored Nov. 15 by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) with its 1998 Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award.
This prestigious national recognition is given annually to two individuals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to providing the highest quality of education in food and agricultural sciences. It includes a $5,000 stipend to be used by the recipient for the improvement of teaching at her college or university.
"During my 26-year career as a faculty member and academic administrator, I have never known of a more dedicated and proficient teacher and academic adviser than Dr. Griffiths," John Rosenberger, animal and food sciences, said. "I have been impressed with her unique and innovative approaches to teaching in, as well as outside, the formal classroom setting. Despite a hectic schedule, she finds the time to meet with individual students and provide personal mentoring and advisement."
Griffiths is the kind of teacher who thinks "out of the box." For example, she incorporates the writings of cowboy poets and historical documents detailing the cattle baron era of the 1800s into a class on raising cattle.
"To advance the learning process beyond the walls of the classroom, it's important to take risks, to try new things and to be willing to change," Griffiths said. "I want to challenge students to think, to connect, to identify relationships between the course material and other courses and their lives. I also want to spark their imaginations so that they can be creative in writing, thinking and finding solutions to problems."
Indicative of her belief that "real life" influences the learning process is her class "Mastering the Freshman Year." The one-credit course focuses on academic services, career exploration and preparation, campus resources and practical life skills. In addition, Griffiths teaches animal science courses, including "Beef Cattle and Sheep Production," "Swine Production" and "Biotechnology: Science and Socioeconomic Issues."
Griffiths spends 50 percent of her time serving as associate dean for academic programs in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In this capacity, she continues to foster a supportive teaching environment in the college, particularly for those professors who are willing to try new methods.
She has served on more than 20 committees related to teaching at all levels of the University, ranging from department curriculum committees to the Math and Science Resource Center Advisory Board for K-12 schools in the state. She also serves on the advisory board for the Center for Teaching Effectiveness.
An adviser for the Animal Science Club, Griffiths also is active in service to 4-H, Science Alliance, the Girl Scouts and the recruitment efforts of the college.
"Dr. Griffiths is an outstanding and innovative educational leader," John Nye, agriculture and natural resources, said. "Her dedication to her students and their professional and personal development is exemplary and deserves recognition."
The nominees are evaluated on the basis of their ability as classroom teachers, innovative teaching methodology, service to students and their profession and scholarship.
C. Peter Magrath, president of NASULGC, in referring to the honored faculty, said, "Their effort in sound scholarship, highlighted by exemplary pedagogy, is a most timely example of how the university professoriate must respond to the challenges of our new century."
-Jennifer Iskra
