Thanks to Susan L. Aronstein and others, Wyoming students can achieve academic success even when they are unable to attend the University of Wyoming’s main campus in Laramie.
Aronstein, an associate professor in the Department of English who teaches through the UW Outreach School, is the recipient of the Hollon Award for teaching excellence in UW off-campus programs.
In 1986, C.E. "Jerry" Hollon, former UW trustee, established the award to recognize "contributions to the general extension outreach programs of the university." For the past six years, Aronstein has taught courses for the UW Outreach School in Casper and through the statewide compressed video network. Aronstein, who specializes in Medieval literature at UW, routinely receives excellent student evaluations.
"I have really enjoyed this class, and it has been very informative," writes one of her students. "Dr. Aronstein has gone above and beyond the call of an instructor when working with me. Her patience and understanding are wonderful. Give her a raise -- she is the best!"
Because of Aronstein’s Outreach School teaching effectiveness, other faculty members in the Department of English have added distance teaching to their list of duties.
"I am certain that Susan is precisely the sort of faculty member envisioned by the founders of the Hollon Award," writes a colleague. "Not merely because I know of her large and continued contributions to the university’s outreach programs, but because I have often taught with Susan and have first hand knowledge of her remarkable skill as a teacher dedicated to off-campus learning."
She previously won the Ellbogen Teaching and the Mortar Board awards.
"She is dedicated to the education of students all over the state, and has spoken to me often of her feelings of responsibility toward site-bound students not able to pursue their degrees elsewhere," comments another colleague. "She puts her ideals into intelligent practice, refusing to sacrifice the benefits of classroom teaching, while making the many accommodations necessary to guide her students’ development. As result, the students that I have met speak of her with affection and gratitude."
Aronstein received a B.A. (1980) in English from Seattle Pacific University; an M.S. (1984) in Medieval languages from Edinburgh (United Kingdom) University and a Ph.D. (1987) in English and comparative literature from Stanford University.
Susan Aronstein