2006-2007 Winner:

Periyapatna S. (Raj) Dhruvarajan
Department of Economics

Periyapatna Dhruvarajan is described as a teacher who uses simple English to convey complex economic ideas in a way that, according to one student, "instilled a desire to learn more." Another observed that "every assignment was marked very carefully and was always returned with written suggestions and recommendations for improvement."

Dhruvarajan joined the department more than 35 years ago. Over the years he has taught many subjects, including economic theory, mathematical economic econometrics and transportation economics. His areas of research include econometric theory, labour economics (child labour in particular), environmental economics (especially waste recycling) and aging in developing countries. He graduated from the University of Mysore before earning his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University.

2001-2002 Winner:

Peter Bailey
Department of History

For almost 30 years Peter Bailey has “dazzled” his students, who, in their course evaluations have described him as "charismatic", "transforming", and the "best professor in the University of Manitoba." He has also been an important member of the Black Hole Theatre company. In 2001, he was named as the first Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year.

Bailey is the foremost historian in his field of Victorian and Modern social and cultural history. His first book, Leisure and Class in Victorian England: Rational Recreation and the Contest for Control, 1830-1885 (published in 1978 and reprinted in 1987) was widely recognized as path-breaking, and equally widely praised for its cogency and wit. It, along with his many articles, continues to shape virtually every new scholar's view of the subject. His recent collection of essays, Popular Culture and Performance in the Victorian City (published by Cambridge University Press) has been called a "dazzling introduction" to the dynamic life of Victorian cities.

2000-2001 Winner:

Carl Matheson
Department of Philosophy

- is described as a professor who "students love listening to" and who can kindle an interest in philosophy in even the most reluctant of students. In the classroom, a student said that he is able "to turn any question from a student into a learning experience for the entire class".

Matheson, who is Head of the Department of Philosophy, first joined the department in 1984. He teaches courses in introductory philosophy as well as his area of special interest, the philosophy of art and popular culture.

1999-2000 Winner:

Linda Wilson
Department of Psychology

- is said to be an instructor who "took what could be a very confusing and at times overwhelming topic and presented it in small, easy to grasp concepts". She is also described as a professor who "spends a substantial amount of her academic time attending to her teaching responsibilities, which always involves attempts on her part to improve her methods of instruction".

Dr. Wilson, whose area of specialization is behavioural neuroscience, teaches courses in introductory psychology, sensory processes, the psychology of eating and drinking, and the psycho-biology of energy balance. She joined the University of Manitoba Faculty of Arts in 1978, and is a graduate of Kent State University in Ohio with her master’s and doctoral degrees.

1998-99 Winners:

 Michael Cosmopoulos
Department of Classics

- who teaches courses in Ancient Greek and Roman archaeology and leads a group of students to Greece every summer to work on archaeological excavations, has been described as "the U of M’s Indiana Jones". He also earned kudos for remembering student names, even in classes with as many as 150 students. A graduate of the University of Athens and Washington University, he joined the University of Manitoba Faculty of Arts in 1989.

Marianne Johnson
Department of Psychology

- who teaches courses in psychology, including the psychology of women, personality and abnormal psychology, is appreciated by students for her "calm and sincere demeanour". She works at improving her classes by asking students for feedback. Many students also note her considerable expertise in mental health. Johnson earned her doctorate degree at Vanderbilt University, and joined UM’s Faculty of Arts in 1989.