Campus News

Westminster's Nick More is Utah's Professor of the Year

National award recognizes outstanding commitment to undergraduate education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Krista DeAngelis (801) 832-2682

Nov. 20, 2008

SALT LAKE CITY– Known for his passion for teaching and desire for constant improvement in the classroom, Westminster’s Dr. Nick More, associate professor of philosophy, was selected as the 2008 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Utah Professor of the Year today.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education administers the U.S. Professors of the Year Awards Program, and they selected More as Utah's winner. He was selected from nearly 300 top professors from around the United States.

More expressed both surprise and pleasure upon hearing his award announcement.

“It makes me grateful for Westminster College, because know I would never have won this award if it weren’t for the great environment the college has created for serious learning—the support the institution gives to the teaching professor and not just the researcher, the help and encouragement I’ve received from my colleagues, and the unique students I’ve had over the years,” he said.

Throughout his 15 years at Westminster, More has embraced the college’s learning goals of critical, analytical and integrative thinking. He has made numerous improvements to the philosophy curriculum that have helped students understand the value of analytical thinking.

“More people are coming to realize how much employers value the logical thinking, problem solving and communication skills that a philosophy major develops…I especially enjoy hearing all the success stories of our philosophy graduates. They thrive in just about any field you can name, because they can think and communicate so well,” he explained.

More’s vision also helped revamp the college’s Honors Program and launch the school’s Honors Council. In 2007, More was selected for Westminster’s Excellence in Teaching Award, an honor bestowed upon one select faculty member each year.

“More is an amazing teacher and a strong advocate for the quality of undergraduate education,” said Dr. Mary Jane Chase, dean of Westminster’s School of Arts and Sciences, who personally nominated More for the 2008 Professor of the Year Award. “He is a genuinely unselfish colleague who is known for his exemplary scholarship, as well as his dedication to service in and outside the classroom.”

The U.S. Professor of the Year Program is the only national initiative specifically designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. Receiving the award is the culmination of More’s accomplishments, and he will be recognized at an awards luncheon at the Willard InterContinental in Washington D.C. today.

“My passion for teaching is actually a thinly disguised passion for learning. I find it natural to run a class discussion because I have so many questions about the issues that philosophy inspires us to take seriously…teaching is a joy for me because there’s so much I don’t know; I like to stay ‘keen on the hunt,’ as it were, and help students realize the power of their own thinking,” he said.

The Carnegie Foundation:
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching was founded in 1905 by Andrew Carnegie “to do all things necessary to encourage, uphold and dignify the profession of teaching.” The foundation is the only advanced-study center for teachers in the world and the third-oldest foundation in the nation. Its nonprofit research activities are conducted by a small group of distinguished scholars.

CASE:
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is the largest international association of education institutions, serving more than 3,400 universities, colleges, schools, and related organizations in 61 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information, and standards in the fields of educational fundraising, communications, marketing and alumni relations.

Westminster College:
Westminster is a nationally recognized, comprehensive liberal arts college. With a broad array of graduate and undergraduate programs, Westminster is distinguished by its unique environment for learning. Westminster prepares students for success through active and engaged learning, real world experiences and its vibrant campus community. Westminster’s unique location, adjacent to the Rocky Mountains and to the dynamic city of Salt Lake, further enriches the college experience. For more information, visit www.westminstercollege.edu.