Page 26 - Laker Connection Fall 2010

Recognition by one’s peers is one of the highest honors that can be be- stowed in academia. At Clayton State University, that recognition comes in its highest form in the annual Alice J. Smith Awards.
As part of the Apr. 27 Faculty/Staff Awards Ceremony at Clayton State, Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Todd Janke received that special recognition as the winner of the 2010 Alice J. Smith Faculty Award. Although, as he stated from the podium, he makes a living speaking to groups of people, Janke was somewhat at a loss for words to describe how he felt.
“I love teaching and to be acknowl- edged for doing something you love is a tremendous honor,” he finally said.
An associate professor at Clayton State since 2004, Janke is originally from Minnesota, but now calls Georgia home. He received his B.A. from St. Olaf College, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Georgetown University. Janke was also a nominee for the Clayton State College of Arts & Sciences Teacher of the Year Award for the 2009/2010 academic year.
In 2000, Dr. Ron Jackson, at the time the only philosophy professor at the University, began conducting re- search to see if sufficient interest ex- isted to warrant a philosophy program. With the addition of Janke in 2004, the duo started to formulate their empirical evidence to justify a minor, which
began in the fall semester of 2006 with 25 students enrolled to ponder and dis- cuss the writings of ancient and mod- ern philosophers. That number has grown over the years as Janke, Jack- son and Dr. Alexander Hall work to de- mystify the belief that philosophy is only for scholars. And, their efforts are work- ing, since the University now has a phi- losophy club as well as a philosophy minor.
In addition to teaching philosophy, Janke also teaches critical thinking (a course focusing on skills essential to effective critical thinking in both aca- demic and general use) and has also taught the University Foundations course that helps new students make a successful transition to Clayton State University and prepares them to meet the challenges of higher level learning and the demands of their chosen field.
When asked about his profession as part of the Smith Award nomination process, Janke said that the most re- warding part of his time at Clayton State is making philosophy come alive for students, and that he enjoys watch- ing students transform each semester and really learn how to grapple with re- ally dense text.
“Philosophy is different from many of the college courses students take, because it invites open discussion. Stu- dents not only learn, but also have per- sonal engagement with ideas in a debate atmosphere,” he notes.
Although matching wits with class- mates and philosophers can seem in- timidating, Janke works hard to create an atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts.
“My favorite course to teach is the one I am in at the moment,” says Janke. “It doesn’t matter the philoso- pher or the course topic; it’s the stu- dents that make philosophy fun.”
When he’s not transforming stu- dents, Janke is an avid collector and restorer of antique typewriters.
“It’s a real thrill to find an old ma- chine in a thrift shop or antique store, take it apart to see how it works, clean it up, and get it running,” he says. “I’ve passed a couple of machines on to friends, and at the moment I’ve got 17 or 18 typewriters taking up space in my home.
“The oldest is an Oliver 9 from 1914, and the newest is a Royal Cara- van from 1962. My favorite for typing is an Underwood Quiet Tab De Luxe from the mid 50’s.”
The other finalists for the 2010 Alice Smith Faculty Award were: from the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Susan Copeland; from the College of Information and Mathematical Sci- ences, Dr. Kelli Nipper; from the Col- lege of Health, Dr. Charlene Romer; and from the School of Business, Dr. Margaret Thompson.
24 THE LAKER CONNECTION
Dr. Todd Janke
Faculty Smith Award winner
By John Shiffert
faculty profile