Dr. Ralph Gamble Wins Teaching Innovation Award

Ralph Gamble and President Ed Hammond	Ralph Gamble and Provost Larry Gould

The following is a press release from the University Relations Office concerning this award.

Gamble wins FHSU's teaching innovation award
09/23/02 gt

HAYS, KS -- Dr. Ralph Gamble, professor of economics and finance, has been named by a faculty recognition committee as the recipient of the university’s Teaching Innovation Award for his performance in the College of Business and Leadership.

The faculty recognition program rewards outstanding teacher innovators and outstanding mediated classroom teachers from each of the four colleges of the university. Two other special awards -- Teacher/Scholar/Innovator of the Year and Faculty Advisor of the Year -- are also part of the program. Recipients are selected by a committee chaired or appointed by the respective college deans.

One award is given each month over the period August through May. Gamble is the recipient of the Teaching Innovation Award for September. He received a check for $300 and a university lapel pin that signifies teaching excellence. Two-thirds of the financial award is provided by the university and the other third comes from Commerce Bank of Hays, which established a fund with the university to help
recognize outstanding faculty teaching.

To win the Teaching Innovation Award from the College of Business and Leadership, a faculty member must use innovative approaches for instruction and show evidence of original contribution and increased learning effectiveness.

According to the selection committee, Gamble's contributions to the university have been many, including selecting computers and software, creating online courses, pioneering the "smart classroom" technology and integrating Internet sites, video clips, and various computer applications into his courses to enhance the students learning experience.

"In addition to being innovative in the application of technology to course delivery and to the development of Internet courses, he is sincerely interested in student success," said Dr. Carl Parker, chair of the Department of Economics and Finances and director of Employee Relations. "Dr. Gamble has always been willing to assist the student outside of class who seeks to understand the course material."

Gamble joined FHSU's Department of Economics and Finance in 1984, after receiving his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in 1983. His innovative use of technology and student interest have made Dr. Gamble an essential member of FHSU.