K-State's College of Arts and Sciences honors three faculty with Stamey Awards

Media Relations and Marketing
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-0117
Phone: 785-532-6415
Fax: 785-532-6418

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Sources: L. Scott Deaner, sdeaner@k-state.edu;
Amanda Freeman, 785-532-4574, asf9777@k-state.edu; and
John Tomich, 785-532-5956, jtomich@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/tomichbio.html
News release prepared by: Erinn Barcomb-Peterson, 785-532-6415, ebarcomb@k-state.edu

Friday, April 27, 2007

K-STATE'S COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES HONORS THREE FACULTY WITH STAMEY AWARDS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's College of Arts and Sciences is recognizing a biochemist, an economist and a geographer for their common ability to reach students in their classrooms.

The college is presenting its William L. Stamey Awards for Teaching to John Tomich, professor of biochemistry; Amanda Freeman, instructor in economics; and L. Scott Deaner, doctoral student in geography. The awards are named for William L. Stamey, a dean of K-State's College of Arts and Sciences from 1969 to 1987.

Tomich has spent the past four years developing and teaching Biochemistry and Society, a course for non-science majors. Tomich said enrollment in the course has increased steadily since its inception and now fills soon after enrollment opens. This past semester, a companion lab course was created, tested and approved as a K-State undergraduate general education course.

Tomich said Biochemistry and Society is designed to introduce students to biochemistry and the impact the field has on their daily lives. When he began teaching the course, Tomich eliminated text he thought was outdated and irrelevant to current students, instead writing a book in a light, and sometimes, humorous tone that blends science with students' experiences while throwing in a bit of pop culture. Tomich said one of his goals is to acquaint non-scientists with bioscience issues that have personal, political and ethical significance -- issues students may be asked to vote on someday.

"I believe strongly in this course. I have seen firsthand how it affects students," Tomich said. "Students leaving the course have indicated that they now have confidence to read and understand bioscience articles in news media, be more proactive in their dealings with health professionals and use the Internet as a reference source for medical and biochemical related issues."

Tomich earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, and a master's degree in biochemistry from Purdue University. He earned a bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Connecticut. He was a research fellow at the University of Delaware and the California Institute of Technology.

Freeman is teaching Principles of Macroeconomics, Money and Banking, and has taught Labor Economics. She said teaching a principles course is gratifying because it's one of the first classes students take when they enter K-State. With her role as both instructor and an advisor for the department of economics, Freeman said she enjoys helping students get settled. Because economics also incorporates models of decision-making, Freeman said she often can help students with issues like time management or selecting their major.

"I most enjoy the chance to interact with students and to show them how economics affects every aspect of life, no matter what their majors or interests are," Freeman said. "Economics has a reputation as being a dry and/or difficult subject, and especially in the principles course it's a great opportunity to dispel some of those misconceptions."

Freeman earned a master's degree from K-State in 2006.

Deaner is teaching World Regional Geography and will teach a new K-State course, Geography of Popular Culture, this summer. Last fall, he taught Human Geography. As a geographer, Deaner said he strives to make students aware of their surroundings. When students tell Deaner about something they experienced or an article they read relating to a topic discussed in class, Deaner said it shows him that students are interested and applying their knowledge outside of class.

"I enjoy interacting with students and watching them progress throughout the term," Deaner said. "I love to see students apply something they have learned in class to a new topic or their own fields of study. For me, one of the most enjoyable aspects of teaching is seeing students have what I like to call an 'aha!' moment. This is when something seems to click in their heads and everything comes together for them."

Deaner earned a master's degree from Ohio University and bachelor's degrees in geography and sociology from Concord College. He is originally from Logan, W.V., and graduated from Logan High School in 1998.