Faculty of Arts winners of the Dr. and Mrs. H.H. Saunderson Awards for Excellence in Teaching 2005-2006:

Brenda Cantelo
Religion

Brenda Cantelo is described as a “rare and lucky find. Her inspiring teaching manner is encouraging to students from all backgrounds.” Another observation described her as a teacher who “listens to students and who motivates them to want to come to her classes.” A doctoral graduate of the University of Manitoba, Cantelo earned early recognition as an instructor when she earned the faculty award for excellence in graduate teaching. Her teaching and research interests include religion and dance, the sacred art and architecture of India, and religion and art performance.

Robert Emmett Finnegan
English

One of the nomination comments said Robert Finnegan “acts as if excellence were part of his job description.” Another student changed aca­demic majors to English because Finnegan “awakened a love of literature.” Well-known as an engaging teacher, still another wrote that he “peppers his pres­entations with puns and chants limericks.” In 1974 he was the recipient of the Graduate Stu­dents’ Association award for ex­cellence in graduate teaching. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s and Notre Dame universities whose scholarly interests include Old and Middle English literature. 

James Fergusson
Political Studies

- is described by students as a professor who wants to see his students succeed. A student observed that classes with him have "an ambience and enthusiasm that makes a student want to be there and to learn–could a professor do more?"

Prof. Fergusson joined the Department of Political Studies in 1988, and teaches courses in international relations. He is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and UBC.

John Rempel
English

- is described as "an innovative teacher who constantly re-appraises his own teaching and experiments with new techniques". A student said, "my first year introductory course with him was so engaging and stimulating intellectually that I simply had to come back for more."

Dr. Rempel joined the University of Manitoba Faculty of Arts in 1970. He graduated from the University of British Columbia and the University of Texas at Austin. He is a specialist in the literature of the Restoration Era and the 18th Century. In addition to teaching courses in his area of specialization, Dr. Rempel leads a seminar course for graduate students on teaching English at the university level.

Dr. Rempel is also a two-time winner of the "Outstanding Teacher Award", chosen by outstanding graduating students and sponsored by the University of Manitoba Students’ Union and the University Teaching Services.