University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chancellor Bernie Patterson surprised two College of Professional Studies employees with university awards on Monday, April 6. Professor Perry Cook (School of Education) won the Excellence in Teaching Award while Jackie Durigan (Assistant to the Dean for Budget and Personnel) was awarded the Outstanding Work Performance Award.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Perry Cook
Professor, School of Education
This award recognizes the importance of distinguished teaching and the contributions of outstanding teachers emphasizing the commitment of the university to teaching excellence. Award winners have stimulated students toward an active interest in learning and scholarship.
Students, faculty colleagues and alumni of the School of Education say Prof. Perry Cook shares his passion for science through his “hearts on, hands on, head on” mantra. He strongly believes one needs to love science (hearts on), give students authentic learning experiences (hands on) and teach them the knowledge about science (heads on) to be an effective science educator. Prof. Cook is an exemplar for future educators, modeling and teaching them to approach their own students with respect and preparation for offering the very best practices in science education. Prof. Cook holds degrees from UW-Stevens Point and UW-Madison.
Outstanding Work Performance Award
Jackie Durigan
Assistant to the Dean for Budget and Personnel, College of Professional Studies
This award recognizes performance far beyond what is normally expected of an employee. It includes taking on additional responsibilities or increased workload, accepting and completing special projects not part of the employee’s normal work duties, developing or modifying procedures or exhibiting behavior enhancing the employee’s workplace.
Jackie Durigan has taken on many additional responsibilities, accepted special projects and developed procedures that have improved the effectiveness and efficiency within the College of Professional Studies. From setting the work assignments for the student staff to reviewing all college paperwork such as hiring and purchasing to overseeing the building and maintenance needs and managing the dean’s schedule, Jackie’s position is arguably the most critical in the college and she does it exceptionally well.