Nelson To Receive Academic Integration Award

4-3-97

University Park, Pa. -- Murry Nelson, professor of education and American studies and coordinator of graduate education, curriculum and instruction, will receive the first-ever President's Award for Excellence in Academic Integration at the Faculty/Staff Awards Program at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 6, at the Penn State Scanticon Conference Hotel.

The award was developed to recognize excellence in the integration of teaching, research and service. Penn State President Graham B. Spanier's primary goal is for Penn State to be the leading university in the nation in the integration of teaching, research and service.

During his 22 years as an outstanding member of the College of Education faculty, Dr. Nelson has consistently demonstrated excellence by weaving into his teaching the threads of his research as well as his professional and personal experiences. Nelson's research has focused on social studies, education, citizenship and society. His professional/personal experiences have included serving local schools by switching places with a local fourth-grade teacher, serving on the school board, and taking part in a local citizens education group.

"I have always viewed the University and its environs as a community, and my role in the community was to help make it a better place to live and work," says Nelson. "Thus, my teaching is focused on enabling my students to provide the same kind of service as teachers/citizens in their own communities. My teaching of social studies education courses and of American studies courses are designed with the same goal in mind -- that is, how have others improved their schools, their communities and the United States, and how can we work, individually and collectively, to do so?"

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Contacts: Alan Janesch (814) 865-7517 (office) axj12@psu.edu
Christy Rambeau (814) 865-7517 (office) cmr7@psu.edu