Munski receives National Excellence in Teaching Award Douglas Munski, professor of geography, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award at the 92nd annual University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) national conference held April 11-14 in Vancouver, British Columbia. "Dr. Munski's concern for students, his professional competence, and his commitment to making education accessible make him a natural for this award and he serves as a model for the rest of us," said Robert Boyd, vice president of student and outreach services. "This award brings honor to him, the University, and all of the distance education initiatives administered by UND's outreach services." Originally from Chicago’s North Shore and northern Missouri, Munski is well-known throughout North Dakota for his commitment to students and the state he has called home for 29 years. Each summer, he serves as a volunteer faculty advisor to help new students register and prepare for University life. As a cultural geographer specializing in historical and geographic education, Munski also acts as a North Dakota tour guide during the summer months to UND faculty and administrators. In addition to on-campus classes, Munski teaches distance education courses on human geography and the geography of North America to students at Mayville State University, NDSU, Lake Region State College, Dickinson State University, and United Tribes Technical College. Every couple of weeks, he travels to one of these campuses to teach face-to-face to help keep his classes as interactive as possible. “It is wonderful to honor a faculty member who so generously shares his time and talents with students and colleagues,” said Martha Potvin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Through his work with the Division of Continuing Education, Dr. Munski is able to teach students at other colleges and universities across the state. Having students flock to his courses indicates the respect students hold for him.” The National Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to educators who have shown exceptional innovation in the areas of teaching, course development, mentoring, and service to continuing education. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to credit or non-credit programs and have provided inspirational teaching to continuing education students. Candidates from all regions of the nation, as well as from international based institutions, are nominated for the award. Munski received the regional Excellence in Teaching Award at the UCEA Great Plains Conference on Oct. 20, 2006, and was believed to be a great candidate to nominate for the national award. "It is a terrific honor for Doug Munski to receive this very competitive national award,” said Kerry Kerber, associate dean of outreach programs. “It reflects positively on the University of North Dakota and the academic quality of our distance education programs.” “Dr. Munski invests a great deal in his students,” said Greg Weisenstein, vice president of academic affairs. “He somehow finds the time to provide exceptional leadership to the University of North Dakota while investing personally in each and every student that he teaches.” -- Kathy Schill, Marketing Intern, Division of Continuing Education, kathrynschill@mail.und.edu, 701-777-0484