Colorado State Honors Professor of Mathematics as University Distinguished Teaching Scholar

A professor known for his innovative teaching and research at Colorado State University has been selected as a University Distinguished Teaching Scholar, an honor conferred upon a total of 12 outstanding faculty.     

The new distinguished scholar, Paul Kennedy in the Department of Mathematics, was recognized today at the annual Celebrate Colorado State! Luncheon.

"Professor Kennedy’s notable career in mathematics here at Colorado State University – and his outstanding work with the National Science Foundation to reduce the achievement gap in mathematics and science – have been a great benefit to students at CSU and across the nation," said President Larry Edward Penley. "His work to improve mathematics education for students of all levels is a prime example of Colorado State’s commitment to improving science and mathematics curricula and demonstrates the university’s capacity for continued leadership in this area."

"Paul’s innovations in the classroom exemplify faculty work at Colorado State," said Tony Frank, provost and senior vice president. "Paul is well deserving of this top award because of his dedication to our students and their learning experiences through mastery learning principles and online and classroom instruction."

The designation as a University Distinguished Teaching Scholar remains with the recipient until he or she leaves the university. The scholars were chosen in an open process that began with the selection of nominees by departments throughout campus.

All Scholars receive a permanent base salary increment of $7,500 and an annual $2,500 operating account from their home colleges for three years to pursue an instructional improvement/innovation project.

Current University Distinguished Teaching Scholars are Pattie Cowell, Kate Kiefer and Mike Palmquist, Department of English; Ken Barbarick, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences; Ingrid Burke, Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship; Rich Feller, School of Education; Nancy E. Levinger and Stephen Thompson, Department of Chemistry; Ray Whalen, Department of Biomedical Sciences; and Douglas Hoffman, Department of Marketing. Retiring are James Boyd, Department of Philosophy; and Wayne Viney, Department of Psychology.

More about the honoree:

Paul Kennedy is professor in the Department of Mathematics at Colorado State University. His career in the teaching and learning of mathematics spans 33 years including 10 years as a secondary mathematics teacher and 23 years as a university mathematics educator. Along with his work at CSU, he has been a member of the graduate faculty in the University of Notre Dame’s summer graduate teacher education program, Alliance for Catholic Education, since 2001.

Since joining CSU in 2002, Kennedy effectively transformed the pre-calculus program into a state-of-the-art online instructional/assessment environment. The instructional approach in the new PACe (Paced Algebra to Calculus electronically) center is based on mastery learning principles and offers both online and classroom instruction. Kennedy is continuing with the construction of an innovative white board environment for online teaching, tutoring and collaborative learning. For his efforts, he received Colorado State’s 2007 CNS Award for Excellence in Teaching Innovation.

Kennedy is also co-principle investigator of the National Science Foundation Center for Learning and Teaching in the West at CSU, a five institution collaborative focused on reducing the achievement gap in mathematics and science. Through CLTWest, CSU has partnered with Montana State, Montana, Portland State and UNC to conduct research through a collaborative online doctoral program that includes an online concentration in mathematics and science education. CLTWest is also dedicated to offer ongoing professional development to teachers across the various regions. As part of that effort, Kennedy has directed four consecutive summer institutes for secondary mathematics teachers from across the state.

In the area of scholarship, Kennedy has directed over 15 funded projects and published widely in the area of the teaching and learning of mathematics. His research focus has been on mathematics achievement and on the use of technology in the teaching of mathematics. He has been a national author for HOLT Secondary Mathematics since 1990, having coauthored 12 textbooks.

As a result of his work with HOLT, Kennedy gives numerous addresses to large groups of teachers across the country about the effective strategies for enhancing the learning of all students.

-30-