2024 Duff Spafford Award

Dr. Rick Schwier is Emeritus Professor of Curriculum Studies. Described as a teacher at heart and by choice, Rick received his academic preparation at Indiana University, before joining our university in 1978. He served as Department Head in Curriculum Studies and Graduate Program Coordinator in Educational Technology and Design. A prolific and outstanding scholar, supervisor and colleague, he has guided so many young faculty. His research interests span e-learning, technology and design, with his work shared through multiple books, book chapters, refereed articles, technical reports, photography, Edu blogs, educational guidebooks and other projects for which Rick has received numerous awards. He is also the recipient of teaching honours, including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship and the Master Teacher Award. He continues to serve on journal editorial review boards. In retirement, Rick became the ‘grand architect’ of the new Jane and Ron Graham Centre for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Located in the College of Education, the Centre for SoTL provides a place for faculty, students and researchers to reflect on their teaching, explore scholarly literature and learning, engage in research about best practices, and share findings with others. The Centre facilitates interdisciplinary research, graduate programs and experiences on teaching and learning across disciplines and develops professionals and leaders to use SoTL in their organizations. Rick is a most fitting recipient of the award named in honour of Duff Spafford, who was greatly admired by his peers and students as a true proponent of life-long learning, a scholar with a passion for words. Congratulations, Rick!