The Louis D. Beaumont Dad’s Association Distinguished Professor Award has been presented to a full-time faculty member each year since 1968. Nominations are received from students, and a small group of invited students then choose from among those nominated who should receive the award for the year for displaying a dedication to quality teaching. This award is incredibly meaningful to faculty because it is given by students.
This week The Woods Today continues its series on WWU professors nominated for this year’s Beaumont award with a visit with Dr. Timothy Hanrahan, Associate Dean of Faculty Development and Associate Professor of Physical Education.
Dr. Hanrahan always wanted to be a teacher and was drawn to Physical Education because he wanted to show that it was, in his words, “a real field of study and necessary for the growth and development of students.” He continued by saying, “We are seeing now the results of the research of the past 20 years that demonstrates a connection between the mind and the body, and that being involved in movement throughout a lifetime is very important.”
Dr. Hanrahan has been teaching at The Woods for eight years. His favorite WWU memory is not one single memory, but every time one of the PE majors gets a job in the field and becomes a successful administrator, teacher, or coach. A more specific memorable moment came when he got to travel to the MOSHAPE (Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators) conference to see one of his students, Garrett Haslag, receive the Major of the Year award for William Woods.
“Our program has become very successful over the past eight years and we are very proud of it,” said Dr. Hanrahan.
His favorite class to teach is Motor Learning and Development. In the class (during non-COVID times), William Woods students get the opportunity to work with students at Fulton Preschool to learn about beginning motor development and have an opportunity to develop movement experiences for them. Seeing his students interact with the younger students is one of Dr. Hanrahan’s favorite things about the class.
Faculty, staff, and students are all drawn to William Woods for different reasons. That includes Dr. Hanrahan.
“I was drawn to the University because of the smaller class sizes and focus on professions-oriented education. I have students that really care about what they are doing and want to learn.”
Learn more about Dr. Hanrahan as he answers the following questions:
How many years have you been teaching at The Woods?
Eight years
Interesting fact not many people know about you
I won a Club Championship in golf in 2013.
What has been your favorite class to teach and why
My favorite class to teach is Motor Learning and Development. William Woods students, in non-COVID times, get the opportunity to work with students at Fulton Preschool to learn about beginning motor development and have an opportunity to develop movement experiences for them. Seeing the students interact with younger students is always one of my favorite things.
Best or most memorable moment you had with a student
Garrett Haslag and I got to travel to the Missouri SHAPE conference where he received the Major of the Year award for WWU. That was a great experience for both of us.
What drew you to what you now teach?
I always wanted to be a teacher. I was drawn to physical education because I wanted to show that it is a real field of study and necessary for the growth and development of all students. We are seeing now the research of the past 20 years that demonstrates the connection between the mind and the body and that being involved in movement throughout a lifetime is very important.
What stood/stands out to you about The Woods?
I have students that really care about what they are doing and want to learn. I was drawn to the University because of the smaller class sizes and focus on professions-oriented education.