Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: May 11, 2006

UW graduate earns national honor for teaching

            University of Wyoming graduate Katelyn Holloway has received a national graduate student teaching award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA).

            Holloway was recognized for her outstanding work to teach undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS). She graduated this month with a master’s degree in FCS/textiles and merchandizing option.

            Presenting the honor were Associate Dean Jim Wangberg, director of the College of Agriculture’s Office of Academic and Student Programs, and Professor Karen Williams, head of FCS.

            Williams said she nominated Holloway because she went above and beyond all expectations to help undergraduate students in FCS.

            “Katelyn mentors them in amazing ways. She works with the students one-on-one in the classroom studio classes, where sometimes students lack confidence. She helps them learn skills while acting as a mentor. She’s in the classroom daily, and she spends extra time helping the students during open laboratory times,” Williams said.

            Holloway was the president of the UW chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, the national honorary society in FCS.

            “In that capacity, she has also helped mentor the undergraduate students,” Williams noted.

            In a letter to Holloway, NACTA President Keith Karnok stated, “This recognition is testimony of your dedication toward teaching and teaching improvement.”

            One of the missions of NACTA is to recognize faculty members and graduate student teachers whose efforts represent the best in agricultural higher education and to encourage those individuals to share their methods of achieving excellence.

            Holloway said, “I’ve tried to create friendships with the students, and I’ve tried to create relationships with the classes. I believe that helps the students be more open with me and to ask more questions.”

            She helped teach undergraduate students for two years in Professor Donna Brown’s beginning and advanced clothing construction classes.

            She’s also assisted in Associate Professor Bruce Cameron’s textile labs and Associate Professor Sonya Meyer’s clothing in modern society class.

            “This is probably a field with lower financial gain than others, but it’s a field that really interests me. It allows me to use my creativity, and I enjoy working with and helping people,” Holloway said.

            Holloway, of Blair, Neb., graduated from Calhan High School in Calhan, Colo., in 2000, and earned a bachelor’s degree in FCS in 2004.

            She hopes to land an extension educator job in Hamilton, Mont., where her fiancé, UW graduate Chris Andersen, works as a physical therapist.

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