David Hazinski
Associate Professor of Telecommunications
By Sallie Barker
 |
David Hazinski |
David Hazinski hung up his microphone as an NBC international
news correspondent in 1986 and joined the faculty of the
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Since
then, he has created one of the finest broadcast journalism
programs in higher education.
Hazinski began by creating a teaching environment that motivates
students to learn, turning Grady College’s aging broadcast
facility into a first-rate, dynamic newsroom. Students do
not learn broadcast journalism in a traditional classroom.
Instead, they learn in a real-life broadcast environment
that Bob Furnad, former president of CNN’s Headline
News, says is a “superior teaching environment.”
Hazinski’s students agree.
Lori Webster, who earned an A.B.J. in 1995 from UGA and
is now an investigative producer at WXYZ in Detroit, says,
“Hazinksi’s students leave the program fully
capable of using some of the most advanced equipment in
the business. This allows his students to be leaders in
broadcast technology, rather than playing catch-up like
students of less ambitious college broadcast news programs.”
Alison Alexander, telecommunications department head, says,
“A Hazinski student is eagerly sought, even in this
highly competitive job market.” Fewer than
20 percent of broadcast graduates find jobs in broadcasting,
but a survey of UGA alumni shows that at least 75 percent
of Hazinski’s students find employment within the
field.
Hazinski demands professionalism and hard work from his
students.
Katie Crawford, who earned her UGA degree in 2001 and now
works for ABC, says, “Hazinski regards his students
as professionals, which makes us work and act like such.”
Amanda Rosseter, an anchor at New England Cable News who
earned an A.B.J. here in 1990, says, “Hazinski works
diligently to simulate a true working atmosphere and to
prepare his students for real newsrooms. I can tell you
that his commitment to creating a ‘real world’
atmosphere pays off. His students are always prepared.”
Hazinski is also a consultant in industry broadcasting.
In the past three years, he helped manage the launch of
three award-winning television news networks in India and
Pakistan.
Hazinski also brings industry professionals into Grady to
work with students.
“Not only does this provide real world input to students,”
says Todd Fantz, principal of Intelligent Media Consultants
who graduated from the Grady College in 1990.
“Hazinski uses it to check his own teaching and to
demonstrate that there are different ways of dealing with
problems and issues. I never had another professor who challenged
me more, expected more or invested more in my learning.
I know many other graduates who feel the same way.”
Alexander says, “His excellence has built a program
that is recognized nationally. His contribution to the quality
of education for our students is incalculable, but an entire
generation of students recognize him as their mentor.”
Richard Neupert
Professor of Drama and Theater
By Phil Williams
 |
Richard Neupert |
“Influential,” “passionate” and
“dedicated”—those are words often used
by students and fellow faculty members alike for Richard
Neupert. A professor in the department of drama and theater,
Neupert has been instrumental in bringing new life to film
studies courses on campus, but his influence goes much deeper
than that.
On the faculty in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences
for the past decade, Neupert has developed a reputation
for courses that are both rigorous and enlightening.
His scholarship has been just as impressive, and his latest
book—A History of the
French New Wave—shows the range of his expertise.
“He is, in short, an example of the ideal teacher-scholar,”
says his department head, Stanley Longman. “It was
he who designed and proposed a new minor in film, which
was approved by the board of regents in 1999. Even more
important is his leadership in developing a new film major
for the College of Arts and Sciences, which has been approved
enthusiastically at every level of the university.”
This new major, approved by the regents in the summer of
2003, is now in place, has 15 students enrolled, and is
growing.
After finishing a bachelor’s degree in journalism
and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin
in 1977, Neupert entered the film studies program at the
same school, earning a master’s degree in 1980. He
spent the next year studying in Paris and then added a doctoral
degree, also in film studies from the University of Wisconsin,
in 1986.
After stints as a visiting faculty member at the University
of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and Northwestern University,
he joined the faculty at Georgia Tech, where he was an assistant
professor in the department of English from 1988 to 1994.
Since then he has been at UGA, where he has taught some
12 different courses, from the large introduction to cinema
classes to seminar-sized classes on animation history and
criticism. Along the way, his students have praised him
highly and consistently, with 86 percent rating him “excellent”
and 12 percent “above average”—a stunning
total of 98 percent in the top two categories of teaching
excellence.
“I simply cannot put into words how much Dr. Neupert
has helped guide and assist me and has even helped prepare
me for the job market,” writes one former student.
“He is the most hardworking, most enthusiastic teacher
I have met in my four years at the University of Georgia.”
Another former student is equally enthusiastic.
“As one of his former graduate students, I was inspired
by Dr. Neupert’s command of his subject. He dares
each student to meet the challenge of being an historian
and scholar. He motivates his students to attempt their
best and gives them confidence that they can succeed, even
though the battle may be an effort. What more could a professor
do?”
One colleague sums up what Neupert means to the department:
“He has been a major force in shaping the development
and future of the film scholars who have studied [with]
him.”
Corrie Brown
Professor of Pathology
By Dot Sparer
 |
Corrie Brown |
“First,” “most” and
“outstanding” are words most often used to describe
Corrie Brown’s teaching
and research at the College of Veterinary Medicine. As pathology
professor and coordinator of international activities, her
time is divided into 50 percent teaching, 35 percent research,
10 percent service and 5 percent administration. Make that
110 percent teaching.
She has won every teaching award the college offers—a
total of eight—plus the prestigious National Award
for Teaching in the Basic Sciences, for which the students
nominated her.
Since her arrival at UGA in 1996, she has taught almost
all the courses offered in her discipline. Today she teaches
or coordinates seven professional courses and is guest lecturer
in several undergraduate courses, while advising and mentoring
about a dozen students, including some high school students
and foreign visitors.
Brown is a leading expert in foreign animal diseases, serving
as co-chair of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture’s
Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases.
About six times a year, Brown visits foreign sites to lecture,
consult and conduct research. She has lectured in French,
Spanish and Portuguese in at least eight different countries,
and has edited a textbook on foreign animal diseases which
is Web-accessible all over the world. The Web-based course
in foreign animal diseases she created with a colleague
is now offered in every veterinary college in this country.
Her hallmark as a teacher is innovation. The successful
course in career opportunities in veterinary medicine she
developed has resulted in a larger percentage of students
entering nontraditional (and extremely underserved) careers.
A certificate program in international veterinary medicine—first
of its kind in North America—was established by Brown
to give students a jump start into global careers. It involves
international externships, learning a foreign language,
and extra courses, including an elective in international
veterinary medicine—another Brown innovation—and
has been emulated by other veterinary colleges nationwide.
Another Brown first is an elective in public health that
she planned with a faculty colleague. Brown also serves
on the college’s committee to develop a master’s
degree in public health.
“Because of her tireless efforts,” a former
student says, “the College of Veterinary Medicine
here at UGA has the most active international exchange program
of any veterinary college in the world.”
A gifted communicator, Brown uses art, current events, culture
and geography to enliven her pathology lectures. “She
makes the dead come alive,” one student says.
According to one of her colleagues, “Her presentations
are so engaging and informative that Corrie on live video
is more effective than most other presenters are in person.”
Her ability to recognize all students by name from the first
day of class is a measure of Brown’s concern for their
personal and professional development. “It’s
awesome!” one student says. Another adds, “Dr.
Brown rocks!”
Scott Shaw
Professor of Astronomy
By Phil Williams
 |
Scott Shaw |
It is rare that a professor can claim to have created an entire
program at the university level, but add to that group the
name of Scott Shaw.
In his 33-year career here, he has been a much-revered teacher
and scholar, but his most lasting achievement may be the astronomy
program.
“This program owes its existence almost entirely to
Dr. Scott’s tireless, pioneering efforts since the 1970s,”
said the nomination letter for the Meigs Award, going on to
point out that the program, “at present, represents
one of the most popular and thriving instructional programs
for science and non-science majors alike.”
Even more significant than Shaw’s almost legendary academic
accomplishments is his “unique gift to engage, excite
and inspire all his students.” Praised for three decades
for his clear, eloquent teaching style, Shaw has never stopped
at the boundaries of the university classroom, though. He
has worked actively with high school and middle school students
and teachers as well, extending his influence all across the
state of Georgia.
For example, Shaw was the director of a National Science Foundation
Students Science Training Program from 1974 to 1981. The program
brought high school students from all over the nation to UGA
for the summer to be research interns in the university’s
science laboratories. Students rated it one of the best educational
experiences of their lives.
Shaw’s graduate students have gone on to successful—and
many times very distinguished—careers. That’s
not bad for only the second astronomer to teach at UGA in
modern times.
“Dr. Shaw introduced me to the wonders of astronomy
and scientific research,” says a former student. “His
style and enthusiasm in the class were contagious, and quickly
found myself signing up as a physics and astronomy major.”
Another student echoes that high praise.
“I believe that I really found myself because of Dr.
Shaw. If he had not been such a motivating teacher, I would
never have discovered my love of astronomy. He cares deeply
for his students and wants to give them all the opportunities
to succeed in life.”
An honors graduate with a bachelor of arts degree from Yale
University in 1964, Shaw earned his doctoral degree from the
University of Pennsylvania in 1970. He came to UGA that same
year as an assistant professor and has remained an integral
part of the science faculty here since then.
He has won numerous honors for his teaching and was co-author
in 2000 of the Virtual Solar System Project. This project
is revolutionizing students’ understanding of astronomical
phenomena and combines the most recent computer visualization
tools with an inquiry-based pedagogical system.
Another student says it best when summing up Scott Shaw’s
teaching career:
“I know of few other teachers,” he wrote, “who
received as much unsolicited praise. Dr. Shaw seems to effortlessly
push his students forward, helping them
to excel, and inspiring them in unforgettable ways.”
John Maltese
Associate Professor of Political
Science
By Larry B. Dendy
 |
John Maltese |
When John Maltese concluded his introductory American government
class on the last day of a recent semester, the 300-plus students
simultaneously rose and gave him a standing ovation.
Such response isn’t uncommon for Maltese, associate
professor of political science in the School of Public and
International Affairs. Current and former students speak glowingly
of the “Maltese experience,” calling him the best
teacher they’ve ever had and crediting him with everything
from convincing them to change their major to helping them
find their life’s work.
“I have not experienced a single professor who can match
up with Dr. Maltese’s ability to reach his students
and enhance their education,” wrote a graduating senior
in her Meigs nomination letter. “I have the utmost respect
for his opinions and more than any other professor at UGA,
he has inspired me most.”
Along with introductory government, Maltese teaches upper-level
and graduate courses in constitutional law that deal with
separation of powers and federalism. A class highlight is
his lecture on the famous
Marbury
v. Madison Supreme Court case of 1800, which helped
define judicial power and shape the role of courts.
Maltese presents the case as if filmmaker Oliver Stone were
telling it. “He wove an incredible tale of mystery and
intrigue about what could possibly have occurred” (in
Stone’s imagined version), writes a graduate student.
“It inevitably left every student, myself included,
salivating, eager to discuss and explore every aspect of the
case.”
Maltese’s other areas of expertise include the American
presidency, the U.S. Supreme Court, and presidential news
coverage, all subjects of books he’s written. His
The
Politics of the Presidency is one of the most widely
used texts about the presidency, and he won the American Political
Science Association’s 1996 Best Book award for
The
Selling of Supreme Court Nominees.
Maltese’s teaching evaluation scores consistently exceed
the departmental mean, a record reflected by several previous
teaching awards and his induction last year into UGA’s
Teaching Academy.
Students praise Maltese for being accessible, supportive and
genuinely concerned about their personal as well as their
scholastic welfare. He commonly meets with students out of
class, and usually opens his home to them for an evening of
soft drinks, pizza and lively talk ranging from current events
and basketball to his 1996 Grammy Award for liner notes in
a CD collection of the works of violinist Jascha Heifetz.
He helped revive the student chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha political
science honor society and serves as adviser. In 1999, he started
an annual banquet to recognize outstanding undergraduate political
science students. He developed a SPIA study-abroad program
in Oxford and also created a course on the Italian legal system
for the university’s study-abroad program in Verona.
Maltese’s teaching expertise extends even beyond the
campus. He developed and taught two courses for the Learning
in Retirement Program, and he’s part of a $6.5 million
U.S. Department of Education project to improve teacher education
and increase student achievement in the state of Georgia.
•
Richard B. Russell Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate
Teaching
•
Regents Award for Exellence in Teaching
•
Research Awards
