University of Southern Indiana

USI Alumni Association

Issue 3: September 2002
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Braysmith's teaching earns recognition

Dr. Hilary Braysmith, associate professor of art history, received the 2002 H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award at USI's Fall Faculty and Administrative Staff Meeting, in August.

The award, focusing exclusively on teaching, honors a faculty member whose work in University Core courses has been especially creative and successful in furthering UCC goals.

Documentation supporting Braysmith's nomination included the following enthusiastic student comments:

"She gets an A+. Few professors have the dignity and respect for their students like Dr. Braysmith. She doesn't accept 'whatever.' She demands the best from you, and whether you like it or not, you give it to her. I FEEL LIKE I GOT MY MONEY'S WORTH! I felt challenged, and when I was in this class I felt like I was in college. The class is not for my major, but I feel like it fit, and could fit, with every class I will take at USI."

Braysmith's areas of specialization are modern and contemporary art, and art by and about women. A member of the Graduate Council, Honors Council, and RISC Committee, she has won numerous scholarships, fellowships, and awards, and is a published author who has chaired sessions, given workshops, and presented papers and lectures.

In nominating Braysmith for the award, her colleague, Joan Kempf, assistant professor of graphic design, wrote:

"Her classes set the stage for students to work hard and reach high academic standards. Whether or not they pursue any additional art history courses, these achievements will serve them in their future courses of study, professional careers, or life experiences..

"In all of her core curriculum courses, Dr. Braysmith strongly emphasizes critical thinking and information processing. She does this by challenging her students to analyze and compare works of art throughout the ages while opening their minds to understanding art."

Braysmith joined the University in 1989. She holds a Ph.D. in the history of art from Ohio State University.

The H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award is named for an Evansville philanthropist and long-time supporter of USI. It includes a $1,500 stipend plus additional funds available for faculty development.

As part of the award, Braysmith will make a presentation that relates to teaching or educational philosophy on campus during the 2002-03 academic year.

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