Video: ‘Life-changing’ teacher, UW-Green Bay Prof. Regan Gurung receives top national teaching honor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGSFOn-Q-AQ&feature=emb_title

Honor ‘humbling and an exhilarating surprise’ for the UW-Green Bay professor

Announced in spring, the American Psychological Foundation (APF) officially awarded University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Prof. Regan A. R. Gurung (Psychology, Human Development) the 2017 Charles L. Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award, August 4, 2017 at the APA 125th Annual Convention. The award recognizes a career of significant contributions to teaching psychology.

Prof. Regan A. R. Gurung
2017 Brewer Distinguished Teaching of Psychology Award
August 4, 2017 at the APA 125th Annual Convention

Gurung was honored for his dedication to student learning and commitment to teaching psychology. “I am honored, proud and energized to receive this milestone award,” Gurung said.  He teaches both Psychology and Human Development courses. His passion for teaching is evident in his multiple national leadership roles and editorships, prolific scholarship, leadership of numerous organizations in his community and dedication to his students. As a professor for more than 19 years, he has generated more than 18,000 student credit hours, trained more than 200 research assistants and has multiple undergraduate mentees that now possess Ph.Ds.

“When I started teaching and over the years, I never imagined ever receiving something of this magnitude,” Gurung said of the honor. “I saw it as a pinnacle. I just go to class every day and work my hardest. This was a humbling honor and an exhilarating surprise.”

In his introduction upon receiving the award, Gurung was said to a “super-hero among fellow teachers,” with his super power an “unshakeable focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning.” He was mentioned as a world-class scholar and educator, and sought after keynote speaker, acknowledged for his clarity, charisma and insight…

“After thanking his family, Gurung referred to his colleagues and said he considers himself “one luck guy” to be working in one of the “best psychology departments around.”

“I honestly can’t think of anything else I’d like to do and with few exceptions, anywhere else I would like to d it,” he said. You can watch his full acceptance speech on Youtube.

This award is in addition to a long list of awards and recognized achievements. A faculty member at UW-Green Bay since 1999, Gurung was named the Wisconsin Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Association (2009) and the University of Wisconsin System’s top teacher (2011). His work was published recently in American Psychologist®, the official peer-reviewed scholarly journal of the American Psychological Association (APA) and one of the most prestigious peer-reviewed journals in the field of psychology. The article, “Strengthening introductory psychology: A new model for teaching the introductory course,” is published in the February-March 2016 issue of the journal. He has two UW-Green Bay Founders Association Awards (the University’s highest honor for faculty and staff), in 2007 for best in scholarship and in 2004 for UW-Green Bay’s top teacher. He is author, co-author or editor of 14 books and has also published over 150 research articles and book chapters.

“Regan’s accomplishments as a teacher and scholar are nothing short of amazing and speak for the meaningful impact he has had on his students and on the field of psychology,” says UW-Green Bay Chair of Psychology, Ryan Martin. “What are hidden behind his many awards, though, are the many ways he inspires his colleagues. His love of teaching, his commitment to science, and his passion for psychology are infectious, making all of us who work with him better at what we do.”

Gurung is a widely-published teacher-scholar who is described by others in the field as “an internationally known rock star” in the teaching of psychology and the scholarship of teaching and learning. He is also one of UW-Green Bay’s most popular teachers because of his passion for the science of teaching and his care for growth and achievement of his students. He was host and organizer of the APA Summit on National Assessment of Psychology in June of 2016.

The Brewer Award is given annually to a recipient who has demonstrated an excellent teaching record, as well as engagement in significant research or creative activity on teaching methods. The awardee receives a plaque, a $2,000 award and an all-expense paid round trip to the APA Annual Convention, where the award is presented, in August 2017. Gurung is believed to be the youngest person to receive this lifetime achievement award.

About the APF
Since 1953, the American Psychological Foundation has been supporting innovative research and programs that launch careers and seed the knowledge base on critical issues around the globe. For more information, please visit the APF Web site at www.apa.org/apf.

About UW-Green Bay
The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is a comprehensive public institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs to 7,030 students. The University transforms lives and communities through exceptional and award-winning teaching and research, innovative learning opportunities, and a problem-solving approach to education. For more information, visit www.uwgb.edu.

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