AU Spanish Professor Earns Teaching Award

AURORA, Ill. - Denise L. Hatcher, associate professor of Spanish at Aurora University and an Aurora resident, received the 2008 Marcus and Mark H. Trumbo Excellence in Teaching award, AU’s top faculty honor, at 115 th annual commencement ceremonies May 4.

Top Educator--Aurora University Provost Andrew Manion, left, presents Denise L. Hatcher of Aurora the 2008 Marcus and Mark H. Trumbo Excellence in Teaching award May 4. Hatcher, associate professor of Spanish and a 12-year AU faculty member, was honored at 115 th annual commencement ceremonies.

Provost Andrew Manion presented her award. Hatcher was selected from nominees submitted by faculty and students, recommendations from AU academic deans, and a committee of former Trumbo award recipients.

Selection criteria are the ability to motivate students to intellectual activity, concern for values that give purpose and meaning to life, and the ability to accept students whatever their state of intellectual, social, or spiritual development.

Other criteria are being friendly, sympathetic, and available to students; encouraging self-expression of students while teaching the tools and skills of scholarship, and communicating and imparting to students a personal enthusiasm for learning.

The award includes a $1,000 grant. Former Aurora College Dean Mark H. Trumbo and Mrs. Trumbo established the award in 1976 in memory of Mark’s father, Marcus Trumbo.

Manion said, “Dr. Hatcher has a gift for engaging her students in the material they are studying. Students respect her high standards and so they push themselves to excel in her courses.

“Whether she is teaching a course in her major or in the general education program, Dr. Hatcher's students really appreciate her enthusiasm, her teaching skills, and her work ethic.”

Hatcher joined the AU faculty in 1996. During her tenure, she has designed new Spanish courses that increased the level and variety of Spanish and leading to minor and major areas of study.

To extend student learning experiences beyond the classroom, she has developed translation projects for local elementary schools and sponsors a Spanish Club at Freeman Elementary School.

Additionally, she is a member of the academic standards committee and university senate, and serves as advisor for Circle K and Alpha Kappa Alpha student groups and coaches the cheer and dance team.

During May she led a 21-day study tour to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and later will co-lead a student tour to Barcelona, Spain.

Hatcher earned her doctorate, master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Northern Illinois University.

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