Creativity in Teaching Fund
Supporting veterinary education through creative
teaching, curricular innovation, and enhancement of
learning facilities
Endowment for Creativity in Teaching
The
Endowment for Creativity in Teaching was established in 1995
by
Dr. Stephen Hines using a $25,000 national teaching
award received in recognition of the college's Diagnostic
Challenge exercises. The endowment has grown since then
thanks to additional teaching awards, memorial gifts, and
the generosity of alumni and friends of the college.
Gifts to the Creativity in Teaching Fund are used
exclusively to support and improve veterinary education at
the college. All expenditures from the fund directly benefit
our students through creative approaches to teaching and
learning, enhanced curriculum and learning experience, and
improved facilities for our students. The fund continues to
help support the
Diagnostic Challenges.
Some of the programs that are supported
by the Creativity in Teaching Fund include:
Animal Health Library
With the help of alumni, faculty, and friends, the
Animal Health Library (formerly the Health Sciences
Library) is being re-invented as a student-centered,
study-friendly space. A gift to the "Endow a Chair (or
maybe a table) Campaign" will be used to purchase new
tables and chairs, comfortable sofas, and create modern
student workspaces.
Program Details from Dr. Steve
Hines
The Diagnostic Challenge
The
Diagnostic Challenges, a nationally
recognized program, were established in 1991 by
Drs. Steve Hines and Guy Palmer. The exercises
give veterinary students an opportunity early in
their training to break out of the routine of
lectures and labs and apply their developing
knowledge and problem solving skills to
real-world, clinical cases.
This innovative teaching approach is a clinical
simulation, based in problem-based learning
theory. Working in small teams with a volunteer
“client” and an assigned case facilitator,
students are challenged to arrive at a clinical
diagnosis using basic principles of
pathophysiology, clinical pathology, infectious
disease, public health, and toxicology. Many of
our case facilitators are alumni of the college
who now work in private practice or at other
institutions.
Creativity in Teaching funds help support the
development of new Diagnostic Challenge cases
and provide limited travel funds for students
and other challenge participants. In conjunction
with college teaching funds and support from the
dean’s office, the Endowment for Creativity in
Teaching helps provide the infrastructure needed
to sustain this innovative program
Volunteer to be a DC Client.
Other Programs
The Endowment for Creativity in Teaching is used to support a
variety of other endeavors in veterinary student education
including individualized teaching and learning. Our students
are our number one resource and our greatest pride! For more
information contact
Dr. Steve Hines.
