Pijanowski Wins Baum Faculty Teaching Award

May, 2011

– Since 1961, the Arkansas Alumni Association has proudly recognized the exemplary achievements of University of Arkansas faculty through the Arkansas Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Achievement Awards among three categories of accomplishment: teaching, research and public service. Additionally, the University of Arkansas honors a faculty member with the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award.

For the first time, the Baum Award winner also will be honored at the Alumni Awards Celebration during Homecoming this fall.

John Pijanowski, associate professor of educational leadership in the College of Education and Health Professions, is the recipient of the university’s teaching honor, the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award for 2010.

A doctoral student who wrote a letter in support of his nomination said Pijanowski didn't reform technology for use in the classroom, he re-invented it. Many other students in their evaluations of his classes also praised the hybrid format that Pijanowski created with a wide variety of technology to allow for effective in-class and online work.

“John Pijanowski is extremely deserving of this award," said Tom Smith, dean of the college. "His innovative teaching style serves his students, most of whom are working professionals, in a way they may not be able to find anywhere else, and he delivers quality instruction that will result in better schools in Arkansas and elsewhere.”

As an associate professor and program coordinator of educational leadership at the University of Arkansas, Pijanowski works with master’s and doctoral students who are preparing to serve as researchers and educational leaders. He teaches graduate courses in ethics, leadership and law and has designed several new courses recently, including The Moral Mind in Action, Moral Courage, Teaching Character and Leadership Ethics. Pijanowski has more than 30 publications and 25 presentations in the fields of leadership and ethics. In 2010, he was honored with the college’s top faculty award for outstanding service, teaching, advising and research. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brown University and master’s and doctoral degrees in educational leadership from Cornell University.