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Killen receives excellence in teaching award
November 03, 2006
Patricia O’Connell Killen, acting provost and professor of religion, will receive the American Academy of Religion’s 2006 Excellence in Teaching award at its annual meeting in November in Washington, D.C.
The award recognizes the importance of teaching by honoring outstanding teachers in the religion field. Killen is an internationally recognized scholar of North American religious history and practical theology. She has been a member of the PLU faculty since 1989.
“(Patricia) is a wonderful example of dedication to the craft of teaching, especially for her intense commitment to making teaching an object of intellectual investigation and for cultivating in students and colleagues alike a passion for discovery,” said Eugene Gallagher, the chair of the academy’s Committee on Teaching and Learning.
The award recognizes Killen's skill in the classroom, in mentoring students and young faculty members, and in helping to cultivate a culture of conversation about teaching in her department. Her skill as a teacher is also demonstrated through her work with the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, where she leads workshops for faculty from the United States and Canada.
Killen’s scholarly work is widely published in journals. Her latest book, the co-edited “Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone,” explores the configuration of religion in the region and its influence in public life. Killen has also authored the award-winning book “Finding Our Voices: Women, Wisdom and Faith” and co-authored the award-winning book “The Art of Theological Reflection.”
“I am delighted to receive this award,” Killen said. “Teaching, creating contexts for powerful learning, is my passion, my art. To have my work acknowledged by professional peers is an incredible affirmation.”
Killen is active in the American Academy of Religion, and has served as president of the Pacific Northwest Region and on the board. Founded in 1909, the academy is a learned society and professional association of some 10,000 members.
Born and raised in rural western Oregon, Killen received her bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Gonzaga University, and her master’s degree and doctorate in religious studies from Stanford University. She lives in Parkland with her husband, David.
Photo by Brett Patterson.
“(Patricia) is a wonderful example of dedication to the craft of teaching, especially for her intense commitment to making teaching an object of intellectual investigation and for cultivating in students and colleagues alike a passion for discovery,” said Eugene Gallagher, the chair of the academy’s Committee on Teaching and Learning.
The award recognizes Killen's skill in the classroom, in mentoring students and young faculty members, and in helping to cultivate a culture of conversation about teaching in her department. Her skill as a teacher is also demonstrated through her work with the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion, where she leads workshops for faculty from the United States and Canada.
Killen’s scholarly work is widely published in journals. Her latest book, the co-edited “Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest: The None Zone,” explores the configuration of religion in the region and its influence in public life. Killen has also authored the award-winning book “Finding Our Voices: Women, Wisdom and Faith” and co-authored the award-winning book “The Art of Theological Reflection.”
“I am delighted to receive this award,” Killen said. “Teaching, creating contexts for powerful learning, is my passion, my art. To have my work acknowledged by professional peers is an incredible affirmation.”
Killen is active in the American Academy of Religion, and has served as president of the Pacific Northwest Region and on the board. Founded in 1909, the academy is a learned society and professional association of some 10,000 members.
Born and raised in rural western Oregon, Killen received her bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Gonzaga University, and her master’s degree and doctorate in religious studies from Stanford University. She lives in Parkland with her husband, David.
Photo by Brett Patterson.