Date: 11/4/08
Contact: Eric Jome
Stephen Hunt, associate professor in the School of Communication, has been named the first recipient of the “Educating Illinois in Action” honor. The honor, presented by the Educating Illinois Coordinating Team, recognizes individuals, offices or programs that exemplify the goals and strategies of the Educating Illinois 2008-2014 strategic plan.
Hunt has been honored for his commitment to student-centered teaching and for his service to both the University and the local community. As a faculty member in the School of Communication, Hunt has been the co-director of the basic communication course (COM 110) since 1998. In that position he is responsible for training graduate assistants who teach many of the COM 110 sections in the University’s general education program. His style of giving personal attention and actively involving students in the learning process has earned him a number of teaching awards including the Outstanding University Teacher Award (2007), Stan and Sandy Rives Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award (2007), Dean’s Award for Outstanding Teaching (2006) and the University Teaching Initiative Award (2002).
In conjunction with his teaching role, Hunt has also served as the co-chair for Illinois State’s American Democracy Project, an initiative that promotes a broader sense of civic engagement among undergraduate students. Getting students actively involved in community activities and social issues is a theme that runs through much of Hunt’s work. He and colleagues in the School of Communication have actively incorporated civic engagement elements into their classroom teaching in order to connect students with real world issues.
In 2007, Hunt was named a Political Engagement Scholar by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The honor was given in recognition of his leadership role in the University’s Political Engagement Project, a special initiative of the American Democracy Project that promotes increased student participation in the political process. As a Political Engagement Scholar, Hunt has helped faculty across campus incorporate political awareness and engagement activities into the University’s general education curriculum.
“He is the role model of an outstanding departmental citizen,” said Gary A. Olson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “He teaches others how to develop their teaching, he shares his expertise via service to many professional organizations in the discipline and he makes a significant contribution to the College and University. For these reasons, it is clear that Dr. Hunt is a model of our core values in action.”
Additional “Educating Illinois in Action” honor recipients will be named monthly throughout the academic year. Recipients of the award are chosen from nominations submitted to the Educating Illinois Coordinating Committee. Nominations will be accepted throughout the year and can be made online at www.educatingillinois.ilstu.edu
For additional information on the “Educating Illinois in Action” initiative contact Angela Engel at 438-3305 or akengel@ilstu.edu
