Aurora University professor honored
Submitted by Aurora University
Aurora resident Donovan Gwinner was honored with the prestigious Marcus and Mark H. Trumbo Award for Excellence in Teaching at the 119th annual commencement ceremony at Aurora University.
Gwinner, associate professor of English, has been teaching at AU since 2004. The Trumbo Award, given annually to one professor, recognizes the finest work of Aurora University faculty in their roles as teachers, mentors and transformative scholars.
“Dr. Gwinner is a talented teacher who relates well to his students,” said Saib Othman, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “His deep knowledge of his field and great sense of humor makes his classes challenging yet enjoyable. He has a great ability to communicate complex ideas in a language accessible to all his students.”
Gwinner said he emphasizes student-centered instruction, providing guidance as the classroom leader but giving students the opportunity to lead discussions and generate ideas. He said he encourages and challenges students to be active and self-directed in pursuit of their education.
“Any given year, a lot of instructors at AU could win the Trumbo Award, so it makes me feel like I’m part of a very strong teaching corps here,” Gwinner said. “It speaks to the overall institutional emphasis on good teaching.”
Before joining the AU faculty in fall 2004, Gwinner taught at Portland Community College in Oregon, Washington State University at Vancouver and the University of Oregon as a postdoctoral teaching fellow. He holds a bachelor’s degree in arts and letters from the University of Oregon, and master’s and doctoral degrees in English language and literature from the University of Arizona.
As the recipient of the Trumbo Award, Gwinner will speak at the annual Honors Convocation ceremony in spring 2013. The institution’s most prestigious faculty award was established in 1976 by Mark Trumbo, a former dean of Aurora College in memory of his father. Upon his own death years later, the award was renamed to recognize the accomplishments of both father and son.
Aurora University has more than 4,300 degree-seeking students enrolled at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The university has a long tradition of preparing students for lives of service and leadership, and using its resources and expertise to meet the needs of the community. In addition to its main campus in Aurora, AU offers programs at its George Williams College campus in Williams Bay, Wis., and Woodstock Center in downtown Woodstock. Learn more at aurora.edu.