Four professors honored with prestigious Chancellors Club Teaching Professorships

November 16, 2012

Four University of Kansas faculty members have been named Chancellors Club Teaching Professors: Philip Barnard, professor of English; Winnie Dunn, professor of occupational therapy; Paul R. Hanson, professor of chemistry; and Jack Winerock, professor of music.

Recipients are selected based on outstanding teaching performance as acknowledged by students and colleagues. The Chancellors Club, formed in 1977 by KU Endowment, is KU’s major-donor organization. The organization established the professorships in 1981.

These appointments bring the total number of Chancellors Club Teaching Professors to 14. Four professors teach at KU Medical Center; the rest teach on the Lawrence campus.

Philip Barnard has taught in the Department of English since 1989. His areas of expertise are literature of the Revolutionary Age (1780-1830), cultural materialism and literary theory. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, his master’s degree from American University in Cairo, and his doctorate in comparative literature from State University of New York-Buffalo.

“In a department and university with many superb teachers, this award is a great honor,” Barnard said. “It highlights the exceptional quality and generosity of my colleagues and students at KU.”

Winnie Dunn serves as chair of the Department of Occupational Therapy Education in the School of Health Professions, in addition to teaching occupational therapy. She joined KU in 1986 and researches people’s responses to sensory experiences in everyday life. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Missouri, and her doctorate in applied neuroscience at KU.

“Teaching is the ultimate human experience—sharing knowledge and interests in a way that changes both teacher and student to be better than they could have been without each other,” Dunn said.

Paul R. Hanson teaches in the Department of Chemistry and joined KU in 1996. His areas of expertise are organic synthesis with an emphasis on methods development, natural product and analog synthesis, chemical libraries for biological screening and immobilized reagents. He received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College and a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Minnesota.

“I am deeply honored by this wonderful teaching professorship and all the opportunities it offers,” Hanson said. “I thank my mentors, colleagues, staff, students past and present, family and KU Endowment for making this possible.”

Jack Winerock teaches in the School of Music, and joined KU in 1973. His area of expertise is classical piano music. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School of Music, and his doctorate from the University of Michigan.

“While student achievement is my greatest satisfaction, I appreciate recognition from colleagues, alumni, and KU Endowment,” Winerock said. “This unique award inspires me to continue seeking even more effective teaching strategies.”

The professorships are funded through KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

The gift is part of Far Above: The Campaign for Kansas, the university’s comprehensive fundraising campaign.

The campaign is managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment was the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

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November 16, 2012