SPRINGFIELD, Ohio---David Barry, assistant professor of languages at Wittenberg University, has received the 1999 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching. He was recognized at the university's Honors Convocation held Friday, April 16 in Weaver Chapel.
Since 1960, the teaching award has been the highest recognition Wittenberg bestows on its faculty. The award is accompanied by a stipend of $2,000.
Candidates, who must have taught at Wittenberg for more than five years, are nominated by students, faculty and staff.
The native of Dublin, Ireland has been a member of Wittenberg's faculty since 1992. Barry teaches German and his scholarly interests have included Weimar Classicism and The Age of Goethe. Prior to coming to Wittenberg Barry was a lecturer at Rice University in Houston, Tex.
But it is his classroom teaching and compassion which inspired two students to nominate him for the award.
"I know I would not be as well prepared for the future if not for the instruction, motivation and support I received from Dr. Barry," one student wrote in a nomination form. "He has demanded the best from me since day one, and has motivated me to strive for exactly that. My abilities in German language and literature, as well as my writing and analytical abilities have flourished as a result."
Another student described his teaching style in her nomination.
"He is so full of energy during his classes that he is constantly jumping around, acting out German vocabulary and getting everyone involved in his classes," she wrote. He is always available for consultation after class as well as during office hours and individual appointments. Dr. Barry has guided me on my quest for knowledge and instilled in me a love of learning."
A 1977 graduate of Oxford University in Oxford, England, Barry received his master's degree from Queens University in Canada in 1978 and his Ph.D. in 1983.
