The Stephen Cole the Elder Awards have been presented to outstanding educators at the University of Adelaide for 18 years. Either as individuals or as teams, the people winning these awards represent some of the most talented and dedicated individuals working at the University.
In 2009, Professor Geoff Heithersay AO, Dr Georges Baume and Dr Paul Sendziuk have been named the Stephen Cole the Elder award winners. Each will receive a certificate in the April graduation ceremony for their School, and an $8000 prize.
Prof Geoff Heithersay AO
Professor Geoff Heithersay AO was not only awarded a Stephen Cole the Elder Award, but also the President and Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in recognition of his contribution to the field of endodontics, and to learning and teaching in Dentistry. He has taught in the Dental School for 47 years, the past 20 years in an honorary capacity. The undergraduate endodontics curriculum he developed in 1979, although updated over time, is still the curriculum endorsed by the Australian Society of Endodontology.
Caring, enthusiastic, imaginative and inspiring, Professor Heithersay is noted for the exceptional rapport he shares with students, for his ability to inspire and guide, and to assist students in becoming confident and capable self-directed learners who graduate not just with knowledge, but with a commitment to patient well-being. In 1998, Geoff was awarded an AO for services to dentistry. In 2008, he was elected to honorary life membership of The Adelaide University Dental Students Society for … distinguished achievement as a clinician and researcher, and his consistent and continual service as an educator and supporter of the dental student body. Students describe him as:
… wonderful – highly intelligent, passionate and very encouraging. I feel very lucky to have been taught by him.
Dr Georges Baume
Dr Georges Baume was awarded the Stephen Cole the Elder Award for his inspiring teaching for 20 years in the MBA program. He is a committed, enthusiastic, insightful educator who is able instil confidence and arouse a passion for learning in students from regions as diverse as Finland, Hong Kong, Singapore and Adelaide. For 15 years he has not only taught in Adelaide, but travelled overseas eight to twelve times a year for teaching intensives, managing in the space of two days, or maybe a week, to inspire postgraduate students to new ways of learning and thinking that will help them for the rest of their lives. One of his students, already a successful businesswoman in Asia, sums up what his students feel about Georges, saying:
With Dr. Baume’s influence, we have changed the way we approach our lives and careers, which has created great positive, significant impacts that we could not have imagined before we took this MBA programme and knew this professor.
Dr Paul Sendziuk
Dr Paul Sendziuk was awarded a Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Early Career Teaching in recognition of his contributions to learning and teaching in History at the University of Adelaide since his appointment in 2005. He is extremely well-regarded by students and colleagues, and his enthusiasm for history has been very important in promoting an appreciation for, and understanding of, the importance of the discipline in the wider community. Students thrive in his classroom, enjoying the collegial and cordial atmosphere, and the opportunity to think about, discuss and learn history. As one of his students wrote in support of this application:
Dr Sendziuk is very knowledgeable, funny and able to bring out the best in me. He motivates me and has made the subject highly enjoyable. He also seeks to give every student an opportunity to talk. He makes me feel like my opinion is worthwhile.
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