BY RANDY BUTLER
Olds College arboriculture instructor Laurie Newsham has received the Presidential Instructional Excellence Award, the highest honour a faculty member at the college can receive.
It goes to a full-time faculty member who has provided high-quality instruction.
Newsham, who teaches in the school of animal science and horticulture, received that honour during the Olds College convocation earlier this month.
Recipients of this award are nominated by a student, faculty member, and administrative staff. Nominations are reviewed by a committee that includes faculty, students and administration. It's chaired by college president and chief executive officer Stuart Cullum.
“Laurie demonstrates a people-first approach in the classroom,” says Debbie Thompson, the college's vice-president of academic and research, and also its chief innovation officer.
“He is regarded by his peers and his students as a leader who is competent, committed, and always willing to go that extra mile to help students.”
Newsham humbly passes on thanks to his co-workers at the college.
“I get to work with some really amazing people, and that includes students, tradespeople, instructors, administrators, service workers, caretakers, instructional assistants, executive assistants, and members of the arboriculture and horticulture industry,” he says.
“Good things happen to us when we are surrounded by good people and that is why this award was presented to me. I am not unique. Olds College is filled with high-quality, focused people of excellence, and I just get to be a part of a grand team.”
Randy Butler is a communications advisor in corporate communications and marketing at Olds College.
