Scott Freng Earns Golden Apple for Freshman Teaching Excellence

April 20, 2007 -- "Freng is the man. He takes any confusion you have about psychology and smashes it with a hammer," writes one of Scott Freng's former students. Having earned the respect and admiration of his students, Freng is the recipient of the University of Wyoming's 2007 Beatrice Gallatin Beuf Golden Apple Award.

Beuf in 1986 established the Golden Apple Award to recognize teaching excellence in freshman-level courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. She was inspired to create the award by the Greek myth of Hesperides, which means "the garden where the apples grow."

Freng began his career at UW in 2002 as a temporary psychology lecturer. The following year he became an academic professional lecturer and research scientist for the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center, and is now the psychology department’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee chairman.

Teaching the freshman-level general psychology introductory course has been one of his primary duties. Although this lecture class averages nearly 350 students in one section, Freng is able to effectively educate his students.

"Dr. Freng taught this class in a way that models how all large lecture courses should be taught. He prepared and presented lectures in a well-organized and interactive way and kept a large class of students engaged," says a former student.

Freng is also well known for being technologically innovative and using these resources to better his classes.

"Scott started experimenting with the intro class Web page in 2002 before many of us even considered it. His willingness to use new technologies in the classroom has made him one of the department's most valued teaching resources," writes Narina Nunez, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology. "The fact that Scott is continually trying out new ideas and technologies in his classes and asks for student feedback, shows his dedication to teaching and his willingness to put forth the time to make his classes the best they can be."

Freng's students have countless positive things to say about their experiences with him as a professor.

"You can tell by the way he teaches that he cares about the students, he enjoys teaching, and he knows the material," writes a former student.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this class and am now fascinated by psychology. Dr. Freng presented the material with much enthusiasm and made the subject matter very interesting. I would recommend this class to all of my friends," writes another.

Nunez adds, "Scott is truly deserving of the Golden Apple Award. He teaches freshmen, turns them on to our field, and they continue to visit him throughout their tenure at UW.

He is a wonderful instructor, but he's clearly more than that. To many of the freshmen, he becomes a role model and mentor at UW."

Freng received his Ph.D. (2001) from the University of Nebraska, his master's degree (1998) from the University of South Dakota and a bachelor's degree (1995) from Black Hills State University.

Photo
Golden Apple -- Lecturer Scott Freng discusses experimental psychology concepts with nursing students, from left, Breanna Clark, Sarah Bevans and Scott Yates. Having earned the respect and admiration of his students, Freng is the recipient of the University of Wyoming's 2007 Beatrice Gallatin Beuf Golden Apple Award recognizing teaching excellence in freshman-level courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. (UW Photo)

Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007