Colorado State University Professor Recognized With 1998 Undergraduate Teaching Award By State Board Of Agriculture
Wednesday, May 6, 1998
FORT COLLINS--John Olienyk, who today received the State
Board of Agriculture's 1998 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Award, had a choice between two careers in the mid-1970s:
investment banking or teaching.
Fortunately for Colorado State University and countless
students, Olienyk decided to invest in students. And for the past
20 years, he's been consistently recognized as an outstanding
teacher, mentor and adviser who brings out the best work in
students because he cares about what they learn.
"John is very deserving of the award," said Tim Gallagher,
chairman of the department of finance and real estate. "He's been
recognized as one of the top teachers on campus for quite some
time. John is active in studying the craft of teaching and works
with other teachers as well to develop the best possible methods
to educate students."
Olienyk, associate professor in the department of finance
and real estate, graduated from North Dakota State University
with a bachelor of arts in mathematics in 1968 and a master of
science in business and economics in 1969. After receiving his
doctorate in economics from Colorado State in 1974, he headed to
Peoria, Ill., to teach economics at Bradley University. Two years
later he moved to San Francisco to try his hand at investment
banking.
"I enjoyed the work and it was lucrative, but I thought
teaching would be more rewarding," he said. "Over the years
that's certainly proven to be true. It's rewarding and
-over-
fulfilling to work with students and help them develop a sense of
direction and purpose. When you hear people say, 'You've changed
their lives,' that's priceless."
Molly Massa, graduating senior in finance and president of
the Finance Club, said Olienyk was one of the most effective
teachers she had at Colorado State.
"He taught a class in International Finance," she said. "The
material was very difficult, but he always took the time to make
sure everybody understood it. He was really accessible and ready
to help if there were questions."
Massa added that Olienyk always was willing to speak at
Finance Club meetings or help with other activities outside the
classroom.
As a committed counselor and adviser, Olienyk spends
countless hours with students in one-on-one discussions on
academic and non-academic matters, Gallagher said in nominating
Olienyk for the award. Olienyk has been faculty adviser for seven
different student organizations and recognized as one of the most
outstanding Mortar Board chapter advisers in the nation.
"The award John received from the State Board of Agriculture
adds to a long list of well-deserved recognition," said Edward
Prill, assistant professor and former chairman of the department
of finance and real estate. "He's a valued colleague in the
department who has an exceptional record of teaching and
service."
Olienyk also has received the Oliver P. Pennock
Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Teaching and has
twice received the Jack E. Cermak Award for Outstanding Advising.
Students in the College of Business have twice named him
Professor of the Year.
In addition, he received the Gladys Eddy Award for
Enhancement of the Undergraduate Experience, which recognizes
outstanding achievements in support of undergraduate students
inside and outside the classroom. He also has received Colorado
State's Alumni Association Honor Professor Award and the Alpha
Kappa Psi Outstanding Professor Award.
Olienyk joined the Colorado State faculty in 1978.
This page © 1997-1998 World Wide Express, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Many news stories on RamLine.com come from the Colorado State University Public Relations Office. You can get copies of the news releases directly by filling out this form.