2019 King's Award for Excellence in Teaching announced

King’s University College is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 King’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The winner for Full-Time Faculty is Dr. Brian Patton, Associate Professor in the Department of English, French and Writing. The winner for Part-Time Faculty is Dr. Kimberly Baltzer-Jaray, Professor of Social Justice and Peace Studies.

“Words can never express the gratitude I feel for Dr. Patton. His enthusiasm and passion for teaching all subject matter kindled a desire in me to pursue my academic career,” wrote one King’s alumni who nominated Dr. Patton.  Another wrote Dr. Patton “treats his students with warmth, kindness, and understanding. His enthusiasm and passion for knowledge are catching.”

“I'm so pleased--and very grateful. I know well that (the Selection Committee) would have had to make a nearly impossible choice from among a group of people who are all entirely deserving of their moment in the spotlight,” says Dr. Patton.

In nominating Dr. Baltzer-Jaray, who has taught courses in Philosophy, Social Justice and Peace Studies, Religious Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies, one student described Dr. Baltzer-Jaray as “an absolutely wonderful professor who really cares about her students’ academic and personal lives.” A colleague wrote in support of the nomination that Dr. Baltzer-Jaray “devotes a large amount of time to class preparation. Her lectures are superbly crafted.”

“I was deeply moved when I found out that some of my students had nominated me. It’s a real honour and it’s also very flattering to know that the students not only enjoyed the material we covered but the way I tried to engage them with it. When you’ve been a sessional lecturer for over a decade, awards like this just reaffirm your career path. I was very fortunate to have so many bright, passionate, and enthusiastic students in my Women’s & Gender Studies classes. They made teaching a dream and a lot of fun. I will miss them this summer,” says Dr. Baltzer-Jaray.

In addition to the Academic Excellence Award, the full-time recipient will receive a stipend and be will be invited to present the Annual Christopher Perrin Beatty Lecture, which takes place during the Student Awards Ceremony evening each winter. In the event that the full-time recipient is unavailable to fulfill this obligation, the committee will extend the invitation to the part-time recipient. This important lecture was established by the Beatty family to honour the memory of their son Christopher Beatty, a 2007 alumnus who passed away in 2008 at the age of 23. 

“The Selection Committee wishes to express their thanks for the amazing contribution of Dr. Patton and Dr. Baltzer-Jaray to the experience and education of our students. As a community, we look forward to celebrating and recognizing their gifts,” says Marilyn Mason, Vice-Principal, Enrolment Services and Strategic Partnerships.

Dr. Patton and Dr. Baltzer-Jaray will be honoured at Spring Convocation on June 19, 2019.

Congratulations to Dr. Patton and Dr. Baltzer-Jaray.

For more information, and to see a list of previous winners, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/academics/award-of-excellence-in-teaching/.