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The 2009 Teaching Excellence Award

Curt Hamakawa L'83

School of Business

Chris Hakala

School of Arts and Sciences

Curt Hamakawa L'83 (picturd on left) and Chris Hakala are role models who truly inspire and motivate students, according to comments submitted during the review process that resulted in both men winning the 2009 Teaching Excellence Award at the College. Their accolades were announced at the College’s Baccalaureate ceremony on May 15 and presented by presented by College President Anthony S. Caprio and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jerry A. Hirsch.

Winners of the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award are nominated by students, faculty, and administrators for outstanding contributions as educators and advisors. A committee, comprised of current students, alumni, and faculty, oversee the nominations review.

Hamakawa, an assistant professor of Sport Management, is “exceptionally passionate about the success of students,” wrote a student. “His discussion-based teaching style and his ‘talkabouts’ made me more participatory in class than I have ever been,” wrote another. Hamakawa is the School of Business’ director of the Center for International Sports Business. Last August he led 13 students on an eight-day whirlwind tour of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

Hakala, an associate professor, an associate professor of psychology in the School of Arts and Sciences “saw untapped potential in me that even I was not aware of, and helped me find the confidence to let it out,” asserted one of his students. He “emphasizes how important it is to be able to think critically, and aids us in developing this important skill,” according to another student.

In addition to being honored at the Baccalaureate ceremony, Hamakawa and Hakala were recognized at the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony on May 16.

For information on past Teaching Excellence Award winners Sheralee Tershner (2008) and Sharianne Walker (2007), click here.