Cal Poly Names 2007-2008 Distinguished Teachers

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Cal Poly has named one professor from each of the colleges of Business, Architecture and Environmental Design, and Liberal Arts to receive this year's highest teaching award.

Accounting Professor Charles Miller, Architecture Professor Michael Lucas and Communications Studies Professor Michael Fahs are the recipients of a 2007-2008 Distinguished Teaching Award.

All three were cited for providing stimulating, challenging and entertaining courses and helping students both in the classroom and beyond. The three 2007-2008 Distinguished Teachers were nominated by students and alumni of the university. Cal Poly has named 138 distinguished professors since the awards program began in 1964. This year’s award process included nominations for 50 different professors from the university’s seven colleges.

Miller, an Ernst & Young Faculty Fellow in the Orfalea College of Business, came to Cal Poly after receiving his doctorate at the University of Arizona in 1987. At Cal Poly he teaches courses in intermediate accounting and auditing. His research includes business risks faced by auditors and challenges facing savings and loan institutions.

“Dr. Miller is my most motivating and inspirational teacher this quarter,” said one student nominator.

Additional comments included:
“Dr. Miller challenges students inside the classroom, as well as in extra curricular activities.”
“He always gives 100% during his lectures and can manage to sprinkle humor throughout a two-hour accounting class.”

Lucas received his master’s in Architecture from Morgan State University in 1995 and has taught at Cal Poly since 1997. His areas of expertise include architectural design, applied phenomenology, vernacular architecture, Native American architecture, and place theory. He teaches courses on architecture for barrier-free environments, Native American architecture and place, and senior architectural design projects.

Comments from nominating students included:
“What makes Professor Lucas great is that he challenges his students consistently and positively.”
“In and out of the classroom, Michael Lucas exudes honorability.”
“Professor Lucas is dedicated, passionate, intelligent instructor who admirably balances and cares for his family, college, and students.”

Fahs earned a doctorate in 1976 from the University of Southern California and joined Cal Poly in 1983. He teaches courses in advanced organizational communication, business and professional communication, organizational communication, and principles of speech communication.

“Dr. Fahs is motivated to see us succeed in the classroom with stills that will benefit us in the working world, as employees and people,” one student said.
“Dr. Fahs’ own example of embodying what he says is his greatest source of inspiration.”
“Dr. Fahs provides his students with the necessary essentials to succeed in a business environment.”

For more information on the awards and previous winners, go to the Cal Poly Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Web page at www.calpoly.edu/~acadsen/dta.html.

###