University News
Runquist Named CITR Director
May 13, 2008
MACOMB, IL -- Roger Runquist, assistant professor in engineering technology at Western Illinois University, has been named the director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research (CITR), effective June 1, according to WIU Provost and Academic Vice President Jack Thomas.
Runquist replaces Mandeep Singh who served as CITR director for a two-and-one-half year term. Singh, a professor of marketing and finance, will return to fulltime teaching.
Since Runquist joined Western's faculty in 1994, he made advances in graphic communication curriculum development and added new courses to the department, which assisted in engineering technology offering the specialization as a major. Since 2007, he has held the additional position of coordinator of distance learning. From 1997 to January 2007, he served the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research as a faculty associate, coordinating and presenting technology training workshops for faculty and staff. In 2006, Runquist earned the Provost's Award and the College of Business and Technology Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching with Technology.
Runquist is a WebCT/Blackboard administrator and certified trainer; maintains two teaching computer labs for the engineering technology department; and serves on several committees including the Graphic Communications Curriculum Committee, the Summer Stipend Selection Committee, the Faculty Summer Institute Steering Committee, the Distance Learning Advisory Board, the Web Accessibility Committee and the President's Technology Advisory Users Group.
"Roger's vast experience in course development and training will further enhance the exceptional service provided by the Ceter for Innovation in Teaching and Research," Thomas said. "Dr. Singh did an outstanding job as director, revamping the center and creating many new opportunities for Western faculty and staff. I look forward to Roger continuing the center's reputation for excellence and developing new, exciting programs, training opportunities and professional development activities."
The director is responsible for the development and coordination of the activities and work of CITR, an office with primary goals to provide faculty with opportunities to enhance teaching excellence and research productivity; as well as to provide opportunities for professional and personal development. The director is responsible for monitoring the environment for programming that brings the latest in adding value to the research and teaching functions of academic life. These initiatives include symposiums, research seminars, courses on best practices, faculty mentoring networking opportunities, as well as opportunities to enhance the creation of a community of scholars.
Posted By: Darcie Shinberger (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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