The University of Wyoming announced on April 17 that twenty-eight instructors have been selected as this year’s recipients of the Promoting Intellectual Engagement (PIE) Award for their work in first-year courses.
The PIE Award recognizes faculty and staff who make a significant impact on first-year students, highlighting the importance of engaging teaching in early college experiences. The award is intended to honor those who inspire intellectual curiosity and help students transition into university life.
According to April Heaney, director of LeaRN, “The PIE Award recognizes faculty and staff from across disciplines who are genuinely involved and passionate about their first-year courses. Each year, the nominations reveal the tremendous care and imagination UW instructors bring to their first-year students. So many students have had experiences in these courses that they consider transformational and even life changing.”
Recipients were nominated online by first- and second-year students. A committee reviewed nearly 200 nominations this year, selecting winners based on both the number of nominations received and student comments. Some nominators praised instructors for helping them settle into college, showing enthusiasm in class, making coursework enjoyable even at early hours, or providing purposeful assignments with clear guidance.
The PIE Award is sponsored by several programs within the Office of Academic Affairs and Division of Student Affairs: Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies; Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning; LeaRN Program; and Residence Life and Dining Services. Each recipient will receive a pie from Residence Life and Dining Services. Those recognized five times will also receive a personalized pie plate. Recipients will be honored at a reception scheduled from 4-5 p.m., Thursday, April 30 in the Wyoming Union Family Room.
A full list of this year’s awardees spans multiple departments including Teacher Education, Physics & Astronomy, Environment & Natural Resources, Mathematics & Statistics, Politics & Public Affairs, Modern & Classical Languages, Economics, Philosophy & Religious Studies, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Psychology, Libraries Research Services, Music, Theatre & Dance as well as Honors College among others.
More information about past recipients can be found at www.uwyo.edu/learn/fac_resources_recognition/pie/index.html.
