University of South Carolina Libraries
Teachers Ei mi a seeker specializes In German History Bv JULIE JAMESON Staff Writer A love of their subject is what sets some professors apart from the rest, according to USC history Professor Peter Becker. Becker was the winner of the 1979 Amoco Award. The annual award is given to recognize outstanding teaching performances. The award grew out of the Russell Award which recognized an outstanding accomplishment, such as a book or a piece of art by a professor. The Amoco winner receives a $1,000 prize. Becker's speciality is German history. BECKER was born and raised in Germany and said he alwavs had a special fascination for his homeland's history. He received his bachelor of arts degree from North Texas State College and his master's and doctorate degrees from Stanford University, all in history. Becker said he really enjoys his work because he is cut out for it. He said most students taking history, such as Western Civilization, are not history majors and are taking the course to fulfill a requirement for their major. He said these students usually enter these courses with an "apathetic attitude." "It requires a love for the subject, enough as to inspire the students, so much that they may walk away liking it," he j saia. Becker said he has seen much expansion on campus.The variety of subjects offered improved when the number of v professors increased. During his beginning years at USC, the f history department was already one of the best in the nation, according to Becker. Becker said the quality of students varies from year to year. * "STUDENTS are the same as they were 15 years ago; they (freshmen) are still basically ignorant but willing to learn." Becker said he feels students are too preoccupied with their career plans. "There is a great misperception that history is difficult to use in a career, but it is a fact that management and executives welcome liberal arts majors. They feel that they (the businesses) could train the material necessary, uoerai arts majors are expected to express > themselves accurately through reading and writing,'' Becker said. mi iiuinH"ir*c! (3 orxJ SQLQOn | ? ii j i " JiibitWinni "* JltST " ts&SSBBSBu ^mlP^^ISI^' Peter Becker, the 1979 Amoco Award winner," teaches German history at USC. nimiiri-i i > l/k!' y. Herald French, professor of religious studies at USC, won the 1977 Amoco Award for outstanding professor. Inillfe KCG O'NAILS ! - wd Ik a I n!B nniur nuatnwuu umvc. COLUMBIA, S. C. I 782-8397 1 DELICATESSEN & LOUNGE I Deli Sandwiches at their Besf.! Tailgate at the Game with a Deli Tray Pick from a fine selection of meats S cheeses. f i Fine selection of :j beer Swine. |j Over 40 foreign beers. i i Rosewood ? Kilbourne Rd. I 782-5397 ! I ng Qualities" OAllMlikll# Afriigiwa tii vuica Professor Wins , '77 Amoco Award By GLENN BURKINS He said he felt honored to suwwntef be in the distinguished group Dr Herald French, on campus. Explaining why professor of religious he felt that he won the award studies, came to USC in 1972. he said jokingly, "Somebody After only five years of must have liked me. To service he received the single out a professor in a Amoco Award, an award given year would be eivfin a nuallv to an out- ludicrous." * standing professor of un- French said that although dergraduate studies. letters are submitted from Before coming to USC he students and other served as chaplin at West- professors, special attention mark College in Iowa. He is ^yen to ^ letters of ^ aiso taught at St. Andrews students. He feels this is good College in North Carolina, because students would have French was nominated for a better assessment of a the Award three straight professor's performance years before winning it in because they witness the 1877. He said he would like to professor in action. feel that this continuity speaks for his performance. The final decision is made 3) WW _ J J I _ f A.A . _ _ * A tie saia since awards are oy a committee 01 leacners given in other areas such as mostly former winners, research, quality teaching French said although the should also be recognized. "I Amoco award is not the only feel that students are being award given to outstanding responsive to what they feel professors, he feels the is quality teaching." Amoco award is coveted "Once you win the award among the professors. you have to eat your own He said itwouldbe good if slice of humble pie, because someone could come up with you realize that the award the money to fund an award could have gone to any one of for graduate teachers as the fine teachers on cam- well, because there are many 3 ?\1lO ' ' Ua -ttntiMiMrtf /i n n /4i m n /iUamo |iuo. iic oaiu W1111U115 uic 1111c 51 auuaic icauici a. award would not change the "Thereare a number of fine way he viewed his own teachers here who are performance, but he is deserving of the award. I always looking for ways to have always been aware of improve his "act." this." f i ~ Coupon expires ![: 1 I ^ Super 10/17/81 | ) 5 ( ruii; 5 ' v?mr ~ vimi ?/vg i1 i 1 with mustard and homemade chil' i 1 $1.19 i Gameroom and Ice Cream i! t ! Open til 12:00 jj L! 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