WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 [music] 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:10.000 Julia was nominated by her peers and also a very large group of students who spoke unabashedly 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:14.000 about the role that Dr. Smith has played in their lives and in their learning. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:18.000 As coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counseling Education program, 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:24.000 Dr. Smith works closely with students in a 2-year program to become certified rehabilitation counselors. 00:00:24.000 --> 00:00:31.000 These students must learn skills and techniques to connect with widely diverse individuals, seeking services to improve their lives. 00:00:32.000 --> 00:00:35.000 Learning to do this is a challenge. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:44.000 In the words of one of her students, 'I told Dr. Smith that I felt as though someone had handed me a lab coat that was several sizes too big. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:48.000 She smiled and told me, 'Wear it anyway. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:51.000 I did and in wearing it, I grew. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:58.000 Please welcome the 2013 recipient of the Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Julia Smith. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:09.000 It's such a delight to be here. Thank you very much. I really want to start with appreciation of my faculty and staff, 00:01:09.000 --> 00:01:16.000 and people in my division who put together an unbelievable nomination packet. 00:01:16.000 --> 00:01:23.000 That for me was enough. I am really, really proud to be a faculty member here at Western Oregon University. 00:01:23.000 --> 00:01:27.000 I'm currently doing a search for a new faculty member, 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:34.000 and when I talked to these applicants who want to come to Western Oregon University, 00:01:34.000 --> 00:01:40.000 what their job requirements are, what they are expected to do in these different university settings, 00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:44.000 I can see where they want to come to someplace like Western 00:01:44.000 --> 00:01:50.000 because we really do honor the teacher/student relationship. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:58.000 WEISS: Here at Western Oregon University, Mario and Alma Pastega Award for Excellence in Teaching and in Scholarship 00:01:58.000 --> 00:01:63.000 has come to represent the highest level of recognition available to faculty. 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:08.000 Tonight, we recognize Tom's academic achievements, 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.000 which are a culmination of his intellectual pursuits and his years of experience as a working musician. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:22.000 I'm pleased and proud to introduce Dr. Tom Bergeron, another one of our wonderful colleagues who make the world a much more interesting place, 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:28.000 and winner of the 2013 Pastega Award for Academic Excellence at Western Oregon University. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:35.000 I can't imagine a career that I would enjoy more. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:41.000 My job is to hang out with friends and talk about and play music. 00:02:41.000 --> 00:02:49.000 Then, to stay current in my field, I have to hang out with other friends and talk about and play music. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:60.000 So, it's a joy, and so here I am and I'm being recognized for getting up in the morning and getting to bed at night and in-between, doing what I want. 00:03:00.000 --> 00:03:39.000 [playing saxophone] 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:43.000 In closing, I would like to quote Mario. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:60.000 But if along our path of life we gave a helping hand to fellow human beings, it will have made a difference. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:08.000 That is precisely what our values are and what we do here at Western proudly. 00:04:08.000 --> 00:04:13.000 [music]