UIC College of Dentistry's Dr. Alison Doubleday Honored

CHICAGO - July 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Dr. Alison F. Doubleday Assistant Professor, Oral Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, has been conferred the College’s 2014 Dr. Jon Daniel Teaching Award.

         Dr. Doubleday received the award from Interim Dean Bill Knight and Dr. Luisa DiPietro, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, at a recent faculty meeting.

The Daniel Award was established in 2010 in memory of longtime Oral Biology faculty member Dr. Jon Daniel, to honor instructors who have made exemplary contributions to UIC dental students’ learning. Dr. Daniel passed away in 2009.

         Dr. Daniels’ qualities cited in the award are the ability to engage students’ interest, curiosity, the ability to motivate students, to challenge them, and to respond to their needs.

         “This is our role as teachers,” Dr. Doubleday said. “We guide students along their journey and help them learn concepts and knowledge that will be valuable to them in their careers. It’s our job to help them clear up misconceptions, understand why the information is important, and to recognize its broad relevance.”

“Dr. Doubleday’s nomination cited her vision and organizational skills, and her important work in designing and implementing the College’s new curriculum,” Dr. Knight said. “She was particularly noted for her dedication to revitalizing the anatomy curriculum and her development of many new teaching tools.

         “Dr. Doubleday’s commitment to the academic mission and her availability both to students and to colleagues make her an outstanding choice for this award,” he added.

         “Learning is a complex process and students approach this process differently,” Dr. Doubleday said. “In order to give students the help they need, it’s not enough for a teacher to be a content expert. Additionally, teachers must be patient, creative, and supportive.”

         Dr. Doubleday expressed her appreciation for her own teachers. “I know, personally, what a difference it can make to have an encouraging and patient teacher,” she said. “Students do tell me that what they appreciate most is that they feel I always try to make time for them and that I truly care about their learning.”

         She thanked the Daniel family and said “I hope that I can live up to the high standard of excellence set by Dr. Daniel.

         “I would also like to thank my wonderful colleagues and fellow teachers in the College,” Dr. Doubleday added. “I am fortunate to work with such incredible role models who encourage me, inspire me, and provide mentorship and guidance. I would also like to thank our students who make my job easy and enjoyable. They are the highlight of my work day.”
         Although Dr. Doubleday had never met Dr. Daniel, she said, “The fact that Dr. Daniel meant so much to my colleagues who knew him personally makes this award very special to me.”

         The late Dr. Daniel’s wife, Jayne, as well as family members Jonah Daniel and David Marcus, attended the presentation.