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| Vol. 18, No. 15 | Dec. 17, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 15 | Dec. 17, 1998 |
Each of these faculty members received a $2,500 award to emphasize the importance of excellence in teaching at the University.
The excellence-in-teaching recipients are selected on the basis of student evaluations and nominations.
From beekeeping farmers in the tropics of South America and backyard beekeepers in Delaware to undergraduates taking their first course on insect biology and behavior, it's safe to say this entomology professor is teaching most of the time.
In the spring of 1998, Caron also was recognized nationally for teaching excellence from the Entomological Society of America (ESA).
"I've always enjoyed teaching," he said. "I don't need the reinforcement of an award to know I am doing a good job, but it is gratifying. And with both awards coming the same year-well, that's been great."
At UD since 1981, Caron teaches undergraduate entomology courses, which consistently attract high enrollments. In addition to "Elements of Entomology," he teaches "Wildlife Conservation and Ecology," plus "Apiology and Apiculture"-the study of honey bees and beekeeping-in which students get practical experience handling honey bees in the apiary on UD's Newark farm.
Caron said he enjoys getting to know his students.
"They get personal attention and have an opportunity to really be part of what we do here," he said.
"I was influenced very early by two high school teachers-one in biology and the other in history. I was torn between these fields in college but one of my professors there, an aquatic ecologist, really convinced me that insects and ecology were for me.
"Each semester I have a memorable teaching moment-the best times are when you see the light bulbs going off when you explain something or the student sees the point being made."
In the area of research, Caron has spent 15 years tracking the path and behavior of the Africanized bee. In 1992, he initiated an international farmer-to-farmer program to help Panamanian beekeepers rebuild their industry after it was decimated by such bees.
In winter months at UD, Caron oversees electronic beehives in a U.S. Department of Agriculture project in which bees are used to monitor the level of environmental pollutants. In summer, he is in melon and cucumber fields studying bee pollination biology.
In addition, Caron has recently completed an apiculture textbook.
Caron holds a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Vermont, a master's degree from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate from Cornell University.
When Fidel Castro's revolution triumphed, Dominguez was practicing law in his native Cuba.
"Like the great majority of Cubans," he said, "I initially sympathized with and helped the revolution, in the hopes that Cuba would once again have a democratic government. Soon, I became disillusioned when I realized that it was a Communist regime, and although I did not protest openly, I eventually became a political prisoner."
Upon his release, Dominguez lived in Spain briefly before immigrating to the U.S. Unable to practice law, he returned to college and earned a Ph.D. in Spanish from Florida State University.
At UD, he has been instrumental in the creation of study abroad and academic exchange programs in Spanish-speaking countries. Specifically, he helped form study abroad programs in Granada, Spain; Merida, Mexico; and a winter program in Costa Rica.
"Our students who are interested in the art, painting, music and architecture of the Western world opt for Granada. Those who love nature and tropical landscapes, volcanoes and beaches and want to experience life in a Latin American country choose Costa Rica.
Dominguez teaches a variety of classes and said he most enjoys, "witnessing the students eagerness to learn about our values, lifestyle and customs."
Favorite graduate courses include "Golden Age Prose" and "Medieval Literature."
His research interests include Spanish and Spanish American literature, and he has published books on the works of Cervantes and Moorish novels.
Hall-Long is a first-generation college graduate from Sussex County. As a girl, she was inspired by her parents and grandmothers to pursue higher education.
"Although my family was not formally educated, they had high expectations and offered encouragement to go to college. Neither of my grandmothers graduated from high school, but they always 'lectured' me on the importance of a woman being educated," she said.
"Like many professors, I have had great mentors and teachers, but one nurse educator and mentor stands out in my mind as being the central influence in my decision to teach versus becoming a nurse administrator or work in health policy.
"This person is Catherine Malloy, a professor at George Mason University. She taught me first at the Medical University of South Carolina and encouraged me to pursue doctoral studies. She always fostered my intellectual ability and remains an enthusiastic supporter. When I was 25 years old, she hired me as a lecturer in nursing and forever changed the course of my career."
Hall-Long said humor and flexibility are the two essential ingredients for successful teaching and recalls an incident where both came into play.
"Once when I was being taped and broadcast live for a televised class- three of my students, who were off camera, decided to jump up and do the Macarena!"
She also is proud of a tradition, at the end of her community health nursing rotations.
"This is the moment," she said, "when you see that the students have not only integrated complex knowledge and made a significant impact on the health of a population, but are truly in awe of their personal learning experience and celebrate this with their peers and preceptors as well."
She received her BSN in 1986 from Thomas Jefferson University, her MSN in 1988 from the Medical University of South Carolina and her doctorate in 1993 from George Mason University.
Teachers in Loyola High School in Pune, India, are responsible for inspiring Prasad to go into academia.
"They instilled in me a love for learning," he said. "It was because of them that I chose a career in science and engineering that eventually led to graduate school and a Ph.D. As I was completing graduate school, it became apparent that the life of a professor is unique in that it allows lifelong learning...you get paid to indulge in your favorite activity!"
Winning the excellence-in-teaching award is Prasad's most memorable moment.
"It's terrific to be recognized for all the effort that goes towards successfully conducting a course. I remember being rather intimidated when I had to teach my first class; I was a fresh Ph.D., and was suddenly thrust before a class of 20 talented graduate students. I used to prepare incredibly hard before each lecture in order to prevent blunders and to anticipate every possible question. The effort paid off.
"Of course," he continued," I am much more relaxed about it now. In fact, I welcome questions because they are the most valuable tools for enhancing understanding. It is amazing that, even after teaching the same course several times, a sharp student can ask a question that challenges and furthers my own knowledge."
A member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prasad earned his bachelors degree with honors from the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay in 1983. He received his master's degree in 1985 from the University of Miami and his doctorate in 1989 from Stanford. All three degrees are in mechanical engineering.
At UD he teaches courses in fluid mechanics, fluid mechanics measurement, and connective transfer and supervises a class for senior design projects. He is the faculty advisor of the Student Chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Research areas include advanced imaging techniques-algorithms and advanced imaging techniques- hardware, turbulent thermal convection, GÖrtler flow, viscoelastic entry flow, suppression of wing-flap noise and mixing studies.
-Beth Thomas
