David Anton, senior academic professional lecturer in the University of Wyoming’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has worked for the past seven years to develop and teach online courses, creating purposefully designed courses that build skills students need in an online setting, while creating engaging content and meeting them where they are.
In recognition of these, along with other qualities and achievements, Anton has been named the recipient of the 2026 Hollon Family Award for Online Teaching Excellence. The award was created in 1986 when C.E. “Jerry” Hollon, a former UW trustee, established the award to recognize “contributions to the general extension outreach programs of the university.”
“It is incredibly validating to have my online classes recognized by professional educators as being a quality production,” Anton says. “With in-person classes, it is easy to have a colleague come sit for a lecture and give feedback, but that is, oddly, much rarer and more difficult for online classes.”
Anton, who earned his M.S. in mathematics from UW and a B.S. in mathematics from North Dakota State University, has worked at UW for 21 years. He transitioned from his role directing the Center for Assistance in Mathematics and Statistics in 2018 to design and implement asynchronous online courses at the 1000 level, says Jason Williford, a professor of mathematics.
Since then, he has taught online college algebra, trigonometry and the department’s five-credit hybrid algebra and trigonometry courses. At the time, these courses were not offered in an online format by the department.
“The sections of these courses are not simply moved online,” says Long Lee, professor and head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, who nominated Anton. “They are purposefully designed with clear learning goals and structured progression to build the skills students need for calculus under the online setting.”
“David is a deserving recipient of this award due to his emphasis on conceptual understanding, his comprehensive use of learning materials in the online environment, and his nearly daily availability to students and comprehensive feedback on assignments,” wrote Associate Professor Michelle Chamberlin, in her letter supporting his nomination.
Chamberlin also notes one student’s comment calling Anton an “amazing teacher” and highlighting Anton’s responsiveness to questions over the material.
“Really, the only trick to succeeding in his class is to just reach out and ask questions and be present,” the student says.
A total of 167 students enrolled across Anton’s online course offerings this year. Positive student feedback is consistent, Long says, adding that Anton’s ongoing development of courses has strengthened what the department offers online.
“Many students enrolled in these courses arrive with significant anxiety about mathematics and can be challenging to engage,” Williford says. “David has consistently excelled at meeting these students where they are.”
“The biggest benefit (of an online course) is the flexibility. If someone misses an in-person lecture, it can put them behind and potentially start a bad spiral they can’t get out of,” Anton says. “With online classes, they can get every lecture and stay current. Also, in that vein, just being able to rewind a video to hear something again is wonderful, but nearly impossible in a live class.”
Unlike in-person classes where Anton has a sense of whether students are learning the material, in online courses he regularly takes a critical look at his lectures for improvement. While he can’t make the online format address every need a student might have, Anton wants to get as close as he can, he says.
Anton’s courses are concise, and he assists students in approaching difficult material, Williford says, adding that Anton has incorporated thoughtful features into his courses, including introductory videos; a practice homework and test to help students adjust to being online; and a video explaining the pros and cons of online courses -- helping students make the most of the experience.
“In addition to maintaining a demanding teaching load, David provides outstanding service to the department,” Williford adds. “He coordinates course scheduling, gathers and analyzes instructional data, and organizes our summer course offerings. His leadership, innovation and sustained commitment to student success make him an exceptionally deserving candidate for the Hollon Award.”
