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News Release
BOISE STATE NEWS RELEASE/November 15, 2007
Boise State's Reeder Named Idaho's Professor of the Year
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced today that
it has selected Boise State University professor Heidi Reeder as the 2007
Idaho Professor of the Year. Reeder is an associate professor in the
Department of Communication in the College of Social Sciences and Public
Affairs.
Nationally, a total of 309 professors were nominated for Professor of the
Year; four were from the state of Idaho. Not all states with nominees
receive a state winner. Nominees from a state must exceed a minimum score to
be eligible for the state award.
Reeder’s honor marks the 11th time that a Boise State professor has earned
this award, and the seventh time in the past decade. She and other state
winners from across the U.S. were honored today at a reception in
Washington, D.C. Past recipients from Boise State include Alicia Garza,
Spanish, 2003; Todd Shallat, history, 2002; John Freemuth, political
science, 2001; Russell Centanni, biology, 2000; Pam Gehrke, nursing, 1999;
Stephanie Witt, political science, 1998; Greg Raymond, political science,
1994; and Tom Trusky, English, 1993, 1991 and 1990.
“When you add Heidi’s recent and well-deserved honor to the long list of
Boise State faculty who have been Idaho Professors of the Year, Boise
State’s preeminence in teaching is very clear and impressive,” said Boise
State President Bob Kustra.
Reeder is often interviewed by local and national media on the subject of
communication and friendship. You may have seen her interviewed on the Today
Show, on the Life and Style Show, on local radio talk shows or speaking at a
community event. But if you haven’t seen her in action in the classroom, you
haven’t really seen her at her best. That’s because as dedicated as she is
to sharing her research in a meaningful context, her passion lies in
teaching — the opportunity to mold and change lives for the better.
Communication Department chair Rick Moore was not surprised that Reeder was
tagged as the Idaho state winner. “Students love her classes,” he said.
“They linger in the hallway to talk to her when class is done, and even seem
to show up outside her office long after they graduate.”
When asked what sets her apart, students point to her ability to connect
with people both in and out of the classroom, her enthusiasm for her chosen
profession and her ability to make it real and personal.
“She’s not afraid to let down her academic personality and get real,” said
Curtis Pullin, who is retaking Reeder’s interpersonal communication class
because he enjoyed it so much the first time. “She’s very professional, yet
very personable.”
And just as her former teachers showed her the way, she is now acting as a
mentor to others.
“Dr. Reeder guided me on a path of self-worth and discovery. She enabled me
to see my full potential and assisted me in breaking the self-made barriers
holding me back,” wrote former Arbiter editor and student Mary Dawson in a
letter of recommendation. “I only hope my actions reflect her teachings and
that in some small way I too will have an impact on those around me.”
In addition to the Professor of the Year award, Reeder received the College
of Social Sciences and Public Affairs teaching award in 2006, was nominated
as an ASBSU distinguished faculty five times and earned the Teaching
Excellence Award from UNC-Greensboro.
Reeder will receive special recognition for her award on the blue turf
before this Saturday’s football game against the University of Idaho and at
a university-hosted reception on Nov. 28.
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Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Communications, (208)
426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu
For the 10th time in the last 11 years, Boise State University has set an
all-time record for Idaho higher education institutions with an enrollment
of 19,540 – an overall increase of 3.5 percent. A record freshman class of
2,280 students is also the most academically talented group ever to enter
Boise State, including 12 National Merit finalists.
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Last reviewed on
Thursday, November 15, 2007
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