U of S Lecturer Receives Learning Communities Teaching Award

Professor Wendy Roy, last year's recipient of the Learning Communities Teaching Award, presents Michael P.J. Kennedy with this year's honour
Photo courtesy of the University Learning Centre
The award was presented to Kennedy at a reception hosted by the University Learning Centre (ULC) to recognize his contributions to the university's Learning Communities program and the positive impact he has on his students.
"It is an honour to receive this award, especially since there are so many individuals involved in making the Learning Communities program so successful," said Kennedy. "It is a group effort and I am just pleased to have been singled out for my contribution to the total group endeavour which has helped so many students."
A lecturer in the Department of English since 1991, Kennedy has also received the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union Teaching Excellence Award (1999), the College of Arts and Science Teaching Excellence Award (2004), and the Sylvia Wallace Sessional Lecturer Teaching Excellence Award (2005).
"Through the Learning Communities initiative we have had the privilege to work with many outstanding faculty whose commitment to teaching excellence has helped hundreds of first-year students feel a closer connection to the university and their academic passions," said Jim Greer, ULC director.
"The success of students and of this program stems from the involvement and commitment of U of S faculty, staff and senior student peer-mentors," said Greer. "Instructors like Dr. Kennedy, kindle a passion for learning, help connect the disciplines and make a life-long impact on students. This award is our chance to recognize such valuable contributions."
The Learning Communities Teaching Award—which is awarded based on student nominations—comes with a cash prize, which Kennedy will be donating to the Dr. Michael P.J. Kennedy Scholarship for Huskies Men's Hockey. The scholarship was established several years ago and has been supported with all the profits from Dogs on Ice: A History of Hockey at the University of Saskatchewan, a book Kennedy wrote.
"I have been a teacher at the post-secondary level since 1971 and feel fortunate for the opportunity I have had to work with thousands of students. For me, the daily satisfaction of teaching lies in being able to play a part in assisting students to grow in their knowledge of the specific material under discussion as well as their knowledge of the world around them and to learn more about themselves," said Kennedy.
About Learning Communities: Learning Communities are structured learning experiences. Each community involves about 30 to 40 first-year students taking a common set of two to three classes. The groups, guided by peer mentors and supported by colleges, professors, alumni, and the University Learning Centre, meet weekly as an academic community. Learning Communities are currently offered in the Colleges of Arts and Science, Agriculture and Bioresources, and Kinesiology.
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For more information contact:
Erin DeLathouwer,
Learning Communities Program Co-ordinator
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-7771
Email: e.delathouwer@usask.ca