|
MATC FACULTY
MEMBERS RECEIVE
DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARDS
The Madison Area Technical
College (MATC) Foundation presented Distinguished Teacher Awards to two
of the college's faculty at the recent MATC spring commencement ceremonies.
The recipients of the awards were English and Spanish Instructor Thomas
J. Curtis and Human Services Instructor Harold Gates.
Thomas J. Curtis of Madison joined the MATC faculty six years ago
and teaches Spanish as well as English composition and communications.
A doctoral candidate in Englishliterature at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville,
he holds undergraduate degrees in English, Spanish and German, and has
a Masters of Science in teaching degree from UW-Platteville.
Curtis is an academic advisor and mentor in the Intercultural Student
Access Mentoring program. He will teach Spanish this summer through MATC's
program in Malaga, Spain. As a result of an earlier visit he made to Costa
Rica in 2000, nine MATC students studied there last summer.
Curtis' enthusiasm for language and culture has influenced many of his
students to further their language studies. Said one student in his Spanish
I class, "Tom Curtis is one of the most inspiring teachers I have
ever had…His vast knowledge and love of the language is infectious."
Harold Gates, a Sun Prairie resident, joined the MATC human services
faculty in 1990. His students express deep appreciation for his help.
Says one student, "He has a genuine concern and high expectations
for his students. He inspires and provokes thoughtfulness, imagination,
critical thinking and involvement in social justice issues."
Gates earned a Bachelor of Arts in Asian studies from Southern Illinois
University and has both a Master of Arts in Chinese from Washington University
in St. Louis and a Master of Science in social work from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison.
Called upon often to provide
multicultural and human services training and advising for community organizations,
he also is in demand nationally as a consultant on family and cultural
topics. Among his clients are the City of Baltimore, Antioch University
in Ohio, the University of Iowa School of Social Work.
The MATC Distinguished Teaching Award was established in 1975 to recognize
individuals for exemplary service and unique contributions to the college.
In all, 52 faculty members have been recognized by the MATC Foundation
for distinguished teaching. The MATC Foundation was established in 1973
as a 501(c)3 organization to solicit, receive, manage and disburse funds,
equipment and other resources for the benefit of MATC and its students.
Since moving to its Truax offices in 1986, the Foundation has disbursed
more than $4 million to more than 16,000 MATC students. Each year, more
than1,500 students benefit from scholarships, loans and grants through
the MATC Foundation.
MATC is one of the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System's
16 colleges. It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal
arts and science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and
activities, as well as customized employee training. MATC provides training
in more than 100 career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational
diplomas and certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college
serves all or parts of 12 counties located in south central Wisconsin
and offers instruction through five campuses and various other locations
throughout the district.
###
Last
Modified:
June 5, 2002
top
|
