Monday, April 19, 2010

Frank Trimble, professor in the Department of Communication Studies and interim chair of the Department of Theatre at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has been named a 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award recipient by the Board of Governors of the 17-campus UNC system.

The award, which includes a commemorative bronze medallion and a $7,500 cash prize, will be presented at the UNC Wilmington spring Commencement exercises for the College of Arts and Sciences Saturday, May 8.

Trimble has been a faculty member at UNC Wilmington for 27 years. A teacher, author, director, choreographer, composer, designer and actor, he has received many awards for his teaching and his work in film and in university and community theater, including a Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award, numerous awards from The Thalian Association, Inc., and a Gold Remi at the 41st Worldfest Houston Independent International Film Festival.

While students, faculty and staff at UNCW are well aware of Trimble's many talents, he is best-known for his teaching, which is also what he most enjoys. Of his teaching philosophy, Trimble said, "In my experience, students often have potential that far exceeds their own expectations. I work to facilitate discovery of the lessons they may teach themselves. An exercise or assignment is a guided, not predestined, journey. Students may learn as much from their own navigation and decision-making along the way as they do from reaching a particular destination."

Shane Fernando, a UNCW staff member and communication studies alumnus, wrote in support of Trimble's nomination, "Frank's reputation among students and colleagues is impressively well rounded: holds individuals to high expectations, but is not overbearing; is highly respected as a leader and educator, but is not authoritative; is genuinely caring and compassionate, but is not a pushover."

Trimble is also recognized and admired for the breadth of his contributions to the overall curriculum, including business communication, public address, performance studies, media production, organizational communication and internships.

In 2000, he designed and offered a new trial course, which was soon adopted as a required core course (COM 490 Discipline Capstone) for the bachelor's degree. The class requires senior communication studies majors to take stock of their values, interests, professional and personal goals, talents, skills, competencies, accomplishments and deficiencies while considering their "next step" following graduation. Alumni have acknowledged the Discipline Capstone experience as instrumental in their professional transition.

In 2008, Trimble launched the Communication Assistance Program (CAP) to provide UNCW students with access to academic support in public speaking. CAP students are trained as peer educators to facilitate learning in public speaking, small group process and presentations, interviewing and the performance of literature, working through the University Learning Center. They offer private and small group appointments, and also work with students who are enrolled in a variety of courses campus-wide.

Trimble earned B.S. and M.S degrees in speech communication from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and joined the UNCW faculty in 1983. He served as department chair in communication studies for 13 years, returning full time to the classroom in 2007. In summer 2009, when the Department of Theatre was in need of an interim chair, Trimble agreed to assume that role while continuing to teach three courses per semester and serve as Theatre Internship Director.

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu