Dr. Michael Allen, professor of history and associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was named teacher of the year by the president's council in the annual teacher "ohana" meeting held in the McKay Auditorium on Wednesday, August 18.
"Because of his exemplary performance in every area, the president's council is pleased to name Michael Allen as the president's council's choice of teacher of the year," said President Eric B. Shumway in a tribute to Dr. Allen.
"Michael has received outstanding teacher ratings by students as he continues an aggressive scholarly agenda and supports the administration of the Arts and Sciences as the associate dean," President Shumway continued. "Beyond this, Michael is a man of profound spiritual dimension."
President Shumway went on to praise Dr. Allen by comparing him to the clerk and scholar from Oxford in Geoffrey Chaucer's prologue to the Canterbury Tales:
Far more than rich robes, fiddles, and stringed instruments, He would rather have at the head of his bedTwenty books, clad in black or red,Of Aristotle and his philosophy.At bottom he was a philosopher and alchemist, Yet had he little gold in his coffers.But all that he might from his friends getOn books and on learning he had spent.Of study took he most care and most heedNot a word spake he more than was needAnd that was said in form and reverenceAnd short and quick and full of high sentence.Reflecting always on moral virtue was his speechAnd gladly would he learn and gladly teach.
"If Dr. Michael Allen could pass for the clerk on the pilgrimage to Canterbury, he is most certainly respected and loved at BYU-Hawaii for his superior learning and superior teaching," President Shumway added.
"The award was completely unexpected," said Dr. Allen, "but it was very moving -- not just to receive the award but to stand there in front of my colleagues on the faculty and staff and have President Shumway deliver that eloquent tribute. It was very moving."
President Shumway highlighted two specific contributions that Dr. Allen made to the university this past year. First, Dr. Allen was the chief organizer and writer of BYU-Hawaii's accreditation proposal to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
"Because this proposal was written so clearly and so consistent with the mission of the university, it was not only approved but rated as the best proposal that WASC had ever received," President Shumway said. "We were told that with this proposal, BYU-Hawaii had raised the bar for the other schools."
Consequently, WASC extended an invitation to BYU-Hawaii to present at their spring conference this year and to help in the Proposal Development Workshop in 2005, according to vice president of academics Keith Roberts.
"It is this kind of recognition that slowly builds reputations," Roberts added. "This continues to establish us as a significant player in higher education."
Dr. Allen also played a key role in the success of the Concert Choir tour to Japan and Korea as the cultural advisor.
"Michael's knowledge and guidance regarding the cultures of Asia, especially Japan and Korea, enabled the Concert Choir Tour to truly be an educational experience," President Shumway said. "His fluency in Korean was also indispensable in a number of settings."
In addition to the honor of recognition, Dr. Allen was awarded a $1000 check by the Polynesian Cultural Center. The check was presented to Dr. Allen by Les Steward, assistant to the president of PCC.
As evidenced by the exuberant applause he received from his colleagues, many agree that Dr. Allen's distinction as teacher of the year was well-deserved. However, Dr. Allen acknowledged the high praise and recognition with a great deal of humility.
"Individuals often get singled out for awards for work they do that is perhaps the most visible or culminating aspect of work that a lot of other people have done," he said. "Everything that I've done here has been done in an environment of cooperation and collaboration, and I've really benefited from the hard work of others.
"Awards tend to be individual, but the individual can rarely achieve those things without a lot of support, encouragement and hard work by other people," he continued. "And that's certainly been the case with me."
When asked what principles he lives by in the classroom and what he would suggest to fellow faculty, Dr. Allen offered these words of advice:
"First is to respect your students and at the same time expect a lot from them," he said. "Make sure that it's clear to your students that you both respect them and have high standards for them.
"Another thing is to make sure that you never lose interest in what you're teaching," he continued. "You're not as good a teacher if you're not constantly expanding your own knowledge. Keep mentally and intellectually alive; don't ever let your mind rest."
Before coming to BYU-Hawaii, Dr. Allen taught at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, BYU in Provo, the University of California in Berkley and the University of Auckland in New Zealand. He has also done research fellowships and participated in a faculty exchange in South Korea. He is happily married with two sons and one daughter.
Other service awards presented at the faculty meeting included Ivy Kahalepuna, executive secretary to President Shumway; Thomas W. Wride, internal auditor; Irene Lesuma, administrative assistant to Keith Roberts; Marilee Ching, academic advisor for the School of Education; Charles Goo, International Student Services; Eugenia Lawrence, Risk Management and Safety; Jack Burgess, Housing/TVA maintenance supervisor; Rusia Mamea, travel office; Lei Liua, travel office; Loren Holly, executive chef; Judd Whetten, director of Physical Plant; Sonny Ah Puck, instructional and media systems; Glenn Kau, instructional and media systems lighting specialist; and Rex Frandsen, associate CIO.