Commencement 2004

2004 Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award Recipients

School of Undergraduate Studies

Robert Champ has taught English for UMUC’s School of Undergraduate studies since 1993, while writing poems, reviews, and articles for scholarly journals and serving as a mentor for new faculty members. Students often name him as the best online faculty member that they have encountered.

One student wrote, “There has been much written by scholars about the works we have read and yet, somehow, Dr. Champ finds something fresh in my perceptions [and] points out important points I have raised. So much so that I have decided to continue on to graduate school in English.”

Champ earned his BA and MA in English from Loyola University of Chicago and his PhD in American literature, in 1992, from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Inez Giles has taught in UMUC’s School of Undergraduate Studies since 1986, and has designed both graduate and undergraduate courses in instructional systems design, technology management, and systems analysis and design. She acts as course chair for human resource management and as a distance education mentor.

“Her support and confidence in her students helped provide a basis to achieve the coursework as well as apply the knowledge and concepts to everyday life,” wrote one student. Another added, “Her topic explanations clarified the text information and allowed us to grasp the concepts by relating them to real-world scenarios.”

In addition to a BA in music education and an MA in ethnology, Giles has earned an MBA from Southern Illinois University and a PhD in adult education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Graduate School

Leslie Pang has taught in UMUC’s Graduate School since 1997, bringing nearly 30 years of professional experience in information resources management and engineering to the classroom. He is a professor of information systems management at the National Defense University’s Information Resources Management College.

Students respect Pang’s ability, but also praise him as a kind and caring mentor. As one student observed, “Dr. Pang demonstrated all the attributes of an outstanding faculty member. He made each class session interesting, fun, and rewarding; he was always well prepared and highly organized; and he consistently gave honest, useful feedback.” Another added, “His passion for learning inspired students in the class to achieve their best.”

Pang earned his PhD in engineering from the University of Utah in 1983 and an MBA from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1988.

Alan R. Sutherland has taught management courses for UMUC’s Graduate School since 1999, drawing from nearly 35 years of executive experience in the human services field. Students praise his academically challenging teaching style, approachability, sense of humor, course design, and commitment to student achievement.

“Dr. Sutherland demonstrated compassion and a deep concern for my progress,” said one student. “In fact, he piqued my interest in management studies so completely that I have enrolled in two courses for the upcoming semester.”

Sutherland earned his PhD in public administration from New York University in 1984.