VIPs of Teaching recognized by MSOE
| Published: 02/28/2011 |
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Each academic quarter, graduating students from MSOE are invited to nominate an individual from their own secondary school experience or their working experience-someone who not only "knew her/his stuff," but could communicate it, and whose commitment to others included encouragement of further educational and career goals. MSOE is proud to recognize those who have had a significant influence on their students' futures. Not only does MSOE shine a spotlight on its graduates, but also thank those, who in some important way, motivated them, inspired them and helped make it happen for them.
Prospect High School (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) teacher Keith Bellof received the VIP Excellence in High School Teaching Award from MSOE. Bellof was nominated by his former student Michael Cerny, who graduated from MSOE with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
In nominating Bellof for the award, Cerny said, "Mr. B had an animated and rambunctious personality...he was able to convey the dreadfully dull subject of high school honors physics into an enjoyable, enlightening experience day after day."
Port Washington (Wis.) High School teachers Wayne VanderVelden and Curt Sauer received the VIP Excellence in High School Teaching Award from MSOE. VanderVelden and Sauer were nominated by their former student Thomas Antoine, who graduated with high honors from MSOE with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
Antoine said, "It was in Mr. VanderVelden's class that I began to see how a class like Physics provides skills that have near endless lists of real-life application and it further confirmed my decision to enter into a field such as engineering."
Regarding Sauer, Antoine noted, "Although I thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Sauer's class, it was not until I took Calculus 1 at MSOE that I realized just how good an education I received in my high school AP Calculus class. The first class was a wake-up call and the beginning of my self-motivation to learn. This motivation is no doubt part of the reason for my success at MSOE."
MSOE is an independent university with 2,600 students. MSOE offers 18 bachelor's degrees and 10 master's degrees in the engineering, engineering technology, building and infrastructure engineering, computer, business, nursing and health-related fields. The university has a national academic reputation; longstanding ties to business and industry; dedicated professors with real-world experience; and extremely high placement rates and starting salaries. MSOE graduates are well-rounded, technologically experienced and highly productive professionals and leaders.