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While Olson has written more than 40 books on U. S. and world history, with many awards including nominations for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography and in History, he has also found time for a myriad of service activities for his students, fellow faculty members, and the university. At least 17 university faculty members have benefited from his advice on publishing projects and contracts. He has served twice as president of the faculty senate, twice as vice president, and was a member of the senate for six years. He has served on search committees for many administrators above the departmental level, on accreditation committees in 1979 and 1989, chaired a faculty merit review team from 1981-86, was on the University Budget Committee from 1984-87, and was on his college's Media Committee from 1987-97. Other efforts included faculty sponsor, Phi Alpha Theta, 1980-87; University Strategic Planning Committee 1984-89, Sam Houston Memorial Museum advisory board, 1986-90; Excellence in Teaching Committee, 1981-88, University Institutional Effectiveness Committee, 1982-85, and on the University Research Council, 1983-87. Olson was a valued adviser in the development of SHSU's freshman retention measures, he served on various committees for the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 1983, 1993, and 2003, and on the College of Arts and Sciences Ad-Hoc Committee on Research from 1997-2001. His service has been on a personal level with many of the more than 35,000 students he has known as a classroom teacher and history major adviser from 1987-2003. He has also taught approximately 75 uncompensated overload history courses and delivered approximately 2,000 uncompensated talks and lectures at the request of faculty, students, administrators and community leaders. He has received the Alumni Service Award (2003) and Sammy Award (2002), served as faculty sponsor of the Latter Day Saints Student Association for 33 years, and taught 66 uncompensated courses in the Institute of Religion. He also led the organization effort to build the Institute of Religion at 1108 17th St.
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Debra K. Price |
Debra P. Price earned her Ph. D. in from the University of
Texas in 1996, the year she began teaching at Sam Houston
State. She also earned special education-learning disability
certification from the University of Missouri in 1986, her
master's from Louisiana State in 1982, and her bachelor's
from the University of Colorado in 1979.
She has also taught in public and private schools in Louisiana,
Missouri, and Texas, and a teaching assistant and assistant
instructor at the University of Texas.
During those years, she has developed a philosophy of teaching
that she describes as "student-centered, but always with
the idea that content matters."
Some of the key points in that philosophy:
"No one benefits from criticism without suggestions for
improvement…If a student needs a different approach
to be successful, I'll try a different approach…I choose
to learn with and from my students…Students need immediate
feedback on assignments. They need me to show up on time,
organized and ready for the tasks at hand…I would like
my students to believe I am working just as hard at being
a good teacher as they are at becoming one."
Price has a number of publications, technical and research
reports, grants, and paper presentations, as well as professional
service activities, but faculty members and current and former
students say her enthusiasm for the teaching profession is
what makes her stand out in the classroom.
Some of their comments include:
"Most teachers neglect to share the passion for education--not
this one!"
"I am a successful educator because of this great woman…I
admire and try to mirror Dr. Price's philosophy and love of
teaching every day."
"I have used her as a source of information even though
I do not have her as a teacher any more and she always gets
back to me. What a great example."
"Dr. Price truly cares about her students and their learning
and develops a relationship that lasts for years beyond the
classroom."
"Every day your enthusiasm and energy inspired me and
made me want to RUN into a classroom, grab a book and teach
kids to love reading and writing!"
"I am aware that Debra has been nominated several times
for this Excellence in Teaching Award," wrote a colleague.
"I believe it is time for the committee to vote for her
to receive the award."
- END -
SHSU Media Contact: Frank
Krystyniak
May 3, 2005
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu
Director: Frank Krystyniak
Assistant Director: Julia May
Writer: Jennifer Gauntt
Located in the 115 Administration Building
Telephone: 936.294.1836; Fax: 936.294.1834