Dr. Otieno Receives Excellence in Teaching Award

Dr. Peter Otieno, assistant professor of chemistry, is this year's recipient of Canadian University College's Excellence in Teaching Award.  Shown below are remarks made by Dr. Joy Fehr, vice president for academic administration, when she presented Dr. Otieno with his award during the commencement program Sunday, April 22.

Dr. Joy Fehr presents Dr. Peter Otieno with this year's Excellence in
Teaching Award.

When Rank & Tenure Committee met to select this year’s recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, the committee was impressed by the overwhelming response of students. We received more nominations and more teachers were nominated this year than in any other previous year.

In a typical year, 8-10 teachers are nominated and 25-30 nominations are received.  In contrast, this year, 85 nominations were submitted and 26 teachers were nominated. 

As the Rank and Tenure Committee, of which I am chair, reviewed each nomination, I was moved by the many, detailed descriptions of excellence in teaching exhibited by faculty on our campus.  At several points during the selection process, I paused to exclaim how honoured I was to work with such great teachers.

Unfortunately, there can only be one recipient per year of the Excellence in Teaching Award.  After much deliberation and careful consideration the Rank and Tenure Committee selected Dr. Peter Otieno.

You can read Dr. Otieno’s biography in the graduation program.  This morning I wish to take a few moments to share with you what some of his students said about him when they nominated him for this award. 

• Dr. Otieno represents an ideal Christian professor. Throughout the semester, Dr. Otieno works more than a student. His office is always open at night, and he takes care of students like his own children. 
• Dr. Otieno is a brilliant teacher on many accounts.  His teaching style is very coherent, concise, and thorough.  He is always prepared for class and his organizational skills are top notch.
• Dr. Otieno helps students anytime without any complaints, but with a great smile on his face. He is very patient with students, has the best qualities for being an excellent professor, and is also a person I’d like to become.
• Dr. Otieno is the fairest yet most difficult teacher I have. I am forced to work extremely hard in his class, because he always wants more from students and always covers every scrap of material in the textbook. Dr. Otieno is insanely enthusiastic in class and is able to keep everyone paying attention. He is not a teacher who works to get paid, but a teacher who works to see students learn.
•  Dr. Otieno is an excellent teacher.  He is outstanding at conveying relevant information and happily provides chances for clarification if he’s unclear. I love that he explains not only the what, but also the why.  As a student, I am motivated to do well in his class.  I also love his natural incorporation of Christ in class.  I never thought he could use Chemistry to illustrate the bible or illustrate Chemistry using the bible. He often pauses just to remind us how amazing our heavenly Father is. Prayer is just something you expect at the beginning of every class at CUC, but I like it that Dr. Otieno asks the students to pray at times as well, though he never pressures someone who is uncomfortable. I feel that Dr. Otieno truly cares about me as a person and genuinely wants me to do well.  This is why I nominate him for the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Clearly, Peter, you are a teacher who inspires, motivates, and encourages students.  Your work on this campus positively impacts our students’ lives.  Thus, I am pleased and honoured this morning to present Canadian University College’s 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award to you.  Congratulations!