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Walker Named 2005 Distinguished Teacher
By Kari Johnson
UW-RF News Bureau
MAY 3, 2005--Economics professor John Walker is the recipient of the highest
award bestowed on a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin –
River Falls.
Walker was named the 42nd recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award
by Interim Chancellor Virgil Nylander. The award was announced April 19
at the University's all-campus awards ceremony.
Selection for this award is through polling by graduating seniors and
recent alums.
Those who nominated Walker said: "John Walker could make any economics
class exciting with his true enthusiasm. He was so kind and patient. I
never felt afraid to ask for further explanation. He was always a friendly
face on the campus."
Another student said of Walker: "John's approach to teaching forces
students to prepare themselves for exams better than other professors
I've had, and the experience pays off in the end despite his challenge."
A third offered: "Dr. Walker is a wealth of information and is always
willing to share it. He has always been approachable and friendly, making
him a joy to have as a teacher. His teaching style has helped me grow
throughout my years here."
Simply put by another: "He's the man."
Nylander said in announcing the award, "My warmest congratulations
to John on being selected as the recipient of the 2005 Distinguished Teacher
of the Year. I applaud you for your outstanding contributions to UW-RF
and thank you for being a role model for our university community."
Upon receiving the award, Walker said it is an honor that highlights 15
years of hard, but enjoyable, work at UW-RF because of his passion for
teaching. "I like ideas and thinking about theories, and their implications
in our understanding of the world," says Walker. "I like mastering
ideas, understanding various aspects of neoclassical economics, Marxian
theory, Adam Smith's view of economics. There is a sense of accomplishment
in that and a desire to share it with people and who better than with
students."
Walker's philosophy of teaching is to believe in developing each individual's
potential. "I believe in the development of human potential, to try
to have each student achieve his or her potential and do the best he or
she can. I try to develop techniques to get students involved and interacting
with the material so they will develop skills that will help them make
a living and be lifelong learners."
Walker joined the faculty in 1990 after earning his doctorate at the University
of Utah with specialties in political and labor economics, as well as
an emphasis in the history of economic thought. Walker teaches UW-RF's
College of Business and Economics courses in political economic discrimination,
history of economic thought, intermediate macroeconomics, statistics for
business and economics, micro/macro economic principles, modern economics
and ethnic studies.
Last fall, Walker took a sabbatical to conduct a survey of self-employed
individuals in St. Croix County. Walker has published his findings as
well as other research topics including gender differences in earnings
expectations, determinants of Mexican earnings, and gender differences
in compensation for earnings.
Walker has been involved in the development and implementation of the
ethnic studies minor and served as the coordinator of the ethnic studies
committee until 2004. He is also currently serving as the interim chair
for the department of economics. Additionally, he has served on numerous
University committees including the general education committee, chancellor's
award for excellence committee, faculty development committee and the
student affairs committee.
Walker's likeness will be added to the UW-RF Distinguished Teacher display
in the Wyman Education Building, and he will be invited to deliver the
fall commencement address in December 2005.
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Last updated:
Tuesday, 03-May-2005 16:19:58 CDT
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