“In some ways, I had to be that senior player who demonstrates good play and sound technique, guiding my students by example through the reasoning, approaches and puzzle-solving techniques of science…” – Russ Colson ences) wrote in support of his selection. “I was awarded a University Fellowship into Brown University’s Department of Geological Sciences Ph.D. program beginning fall 2010. I have Dr. Russ Colson to thank.” In another nomination letter for the award, student Patrick Schuette wrote, “Mere memorization of the material is not sufficient, because he requires critical thinking and problem solving in all of his classes. Critical thinking is possibly the most essential skill for an individual to possess in the 21st century, and I know no one better at helping students master it.” He has published numerous research papers and he’s worked on projects funded by NASA. Colleague Michael Michlovic says, “I have been amazed at the level of training Russ
offers his students…He is concerned deeply with his students’ well-being, sensitive to their problems, eager to help them learn and willing to do whatever he can to bring them to graduation and success in their careers. He is the best teacher at a university that emphasizes teaching and maintains a faculty with many high-caliber teachers.” Colson studies his students and fine-tunes his lessons to motivate them to think critically and creatively. In the past, he described himself as a science coach. “A coach encourages, instructs and pushes to excellence – like a teacher,” he said. “As my teaching matured, I realized that coaching was not enough,” Colson said. “In some ways, I had to be that senior player who demonstrates good play and sound technique, guiding my
students by example through the reasoning, approaches and puzzle-solving techniques of science… “I love the sense of companionship that comes from working together with students excited to learn,” he said. “I love the light in their eyes when understanding dawns. And yes, I even love to coach students frustrated and discouraged when the material seems too hard. Each opportunity presents a chance to become better than we were, to learn something new, and to do it together.” On a wintry Monday before Thanksgiving, Colson spoke at a campus celebration honoring his accomplishment. He said his teaching philosophy can be expressed in seven words: “My students and I do science together.”
“Critical thinking is possibly the most essential skill for an individual to possess in the 21st century, and I know no one better at helping students master it.” – Patrick Schuette
> Colson takes his geology classes to look at the sequence of sediments exposed at the cutbank of the Regional Science Center.
> Colson lecturing about what causes geysers in Yellowstone National Park.
Alumnews Winter 2011
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