Northwest Vista College's Lucas Named 2007 Piper Professor

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Donald Richard Lucas, Ph.D., was named a Piper Professor of 2007 by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Lucas is the first professor in the history of Northwest Vista College to receive this award, the oldest and most prestigious teaching award that recognizes outstanding educators in Texas colleges and universities. The nonprofit charitable foundation has been recognizing professors since 1958. Currently, only 15 educators receive this honor annually.

“Dr. Don Lucas is a dedicated professor who has the ability to engage his students in the classroom and in civic projects for the community,” says Northwest Vista College President Dr. Jacqueline Claunch. “His passion for learning and teaching creates classes that have high success and retention rates. We are honored to have him recognized.”

Dr. Lucas joined Northwest Vista College in 1999 and has grown the psychology department from 20 to 100 psychology courses. As the head of psychology, he is responsible for hiring, evaluating and assigning courses to three full-time and 13 part-time instructors. Dr. Lucas has also been active in and outside of the college. He co-founded the college’s Psychology Club, and has worked with various groups, including the Student Crisis Intervention Team. His courses are designed with a civic engagement component that requires students to volunteer at nonprofit community organizations. These projects lead to volunteer hours totaling between 100-200 per class/per semester. Dr. Lucas is also known for teaching overload (above 15 semester hours) most semesters without additional pay, sometimes carrying as many as 23 hours per semester.

“My teaching philosophy is simply to create learning environments that encourage students to become aware of their existing knowledge,” says Dr. Lucas. “Students find this knowledge only through questioning. The best teachers ask the best (most) questions. And that is how I conduct my classes—if not my life—by asking questions.”

Dr. Lucas has published various research articles and presented at several conferences. His publications are diverse, with topics that include family violence, chronic illness, and happiness in the classroom. He is also an Editorial Board Member of the American Journal of Psychological Research, and was a regular guest on the radio show “Prime Plus” on KLUP 930 AM. In the December issue of Scene in SA Monthly, Dr. Lucas was listed as one of the top professors in San Antonio.
Dr. Lucas has a B.S. in psychology from Illinois State University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Northern Illinois University. He received tenure in fall 2006 from Northwest Vista College. A complete resume is available upon request.

International Artists Join NVC Faculty for Maymester Classes

This spring, Northwest Vista College’s Fine and Performing Arts area will offer exciting new courses in music and dance as part of the college’s first annual Maymester Institute of World Music and Dance.

Music Improvisation, a course that explores traditions in African music, will be taught by West African musician-educator Adolphe Yacé, who is currently in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship to Boston University. As director of the Institut National Supérieur des Arts et de l’Action Culturelle (INSAAC) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Yacé is a multi-instrumentalist and a vocal/instrumental arranger best known for combining aspects of traditional culture and practices with contemporary musical idioms, including African-jazz fusions. Under his instruction, students will perform on percussion instruments, vocally, and with Western (European) instruments.

The dance course will be taught by Brazilian dancer, choreographer and instructor Rosangela Silvestre. With a base rooted in the Brazilian culture, the Silvestre idea is to integrate other cultures using dance and music as the vehicle. Silvestre has received training in such diverse techniques as Martha Graham, Limón, Solo Bar and classic ballet. During her visit to San Antonio, Silvestre will also teach classes at Palo Alto College and the Carver Community Cultural Center. She will be joined by Northwest Vista College dance students in a closing performance at the Carver on June 1.

The Maymester courses will be held from May 14 – June 1. The classes are open to Northwest Vista College students and the community. For more information, please contact Katharine Cartwright (music) at 348-2231 or Jayne King (dance) at 348-2225.