Professor Theo Myhre Receives 2015 Honors Excellence in Teaching Award
Earlier this spring students put forward nominations for the annual Honors Excellence in Teaching Award (HETA), based on such merits as enthusiasm, dedication, and "life-changing" delivery of substance. The recipient, chosen exclusively by students, recognizes distinguished and engaging faculty who "go above and beyond" when teaching their Honors courses.
Theo Myhre is the recipient of the 2015 HETA. Myhre is a Senior Lecturer at UW's School of Law where he teaches a wide variety of classes, including "Introduction to Law," "Advanced Research and Writing," "Law and Sex/Gender/Sexuality," and "Landmark Cases in Civil Rights."
In Autumn 2014, Myhre taught an Honors section of Law 100 to a small group of engaged and enthusiastic students who dubbed themselves "the Great Eight." One of the students, Reem Sabha, says of the experience, "Professor Myhre's lectures were engaging, informative, and even humorous. He continually engaged with students in the class; lectures were never professor stands at the front of the class and talks while students sit in silence for eternity—they were open discussions where students could ask questions and contribute to the learning process."
This was Myhre's first time teaching for the Honors Program and he was just as impressed by the students as they were by him.
"It was one of the best learning experiences I've ever participated in," he says. "The students were bright, open-minded, and hungry to learn. Together, we were dauntless in deepening our understanding of the law and in cultivating skills to make a difference in the world. I expect great things from each and every one of my students."
Myhre holds a number of advanced degrees including a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, an M.A. in History from Boston College, an M.A. in Modern European Intellectual History from Drew University, a Certificate in Language and Civilization from the University of Paris, and an interdisciplinary B.A. from The Evergreen State College. Even with all of these credentials, some students feel it would not be too risky for Professor Myhre to quit his day job.
"I must not fail to mention that Professor Myhre's lectures have a soothing feel to them," says Caleb Huffman, also an Honors Law 100 student. "I imagine he could quit being a professor and be just fine working as a DJ for an alternative jazz station."