“And the award goes to….Lynn Haley.”

In Haley’s University 1020 class, an Oscar-themed assignment highlighted the creativity that she brought to her class all semester long and earned her the first Award for Excellence in University 1020 Instruction. Haley, a counselor in Career Services, says she had one goal for the semester — to make learning fun.

	Lynn Haley

“Each of us can remember the anxiety we faced during the first week of freshman classes,” says Haley. "I begin the class with an announcement that I feel reflects my teaching philosophy — ‘Hopefully, this will be the last time I walk into our classroom and find you silent.’”

The admonition works because Haley gives students assignments that allow them to work together, encourage each other and educate each other. It is an example of just why the university created University 1020 classes.

Also known as First Year Connections, the course was specially designed to help freshmen build the academic, social and professional connections needed for a successful college career. In this one-credit hour course, students are introduced to an assortment of university services, academic skills, and friendships that will make adjustment to campus life much easier.

The award was created to honor instructors who not only demonstrate creativity in teaching, but also show an exceptional level of care and understanding toward incoming freshmen.

Students nominated Haley for showing extraordinary care for them and their needs. And they loved the creative assignments.

The culminating project was a movie produced by the students aimed toward helping their peers. Students wrote, directed and acted in the film. The premiere featured a gala with food, decorations, and donated prizes and was followed by a peer review.

Another one of Haley’s popular assignments was one that encouraged creative thinking, setting goals and presentation skills. Students were given 15 minutes to think about their lasting legacy to the world and write their own obituary.

“This group had some amazingly fertile minds and awarded the grand prize to a student who died in an elephant stampede,” says Haley.

Haley received a plaque and $1,000.