UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Burt Staniar, associate professor of animal science in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, has received the 2023 President’s Award for Engagement with Students.
The award is given to a faculty member who goes beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage students in learning. The honorees have made themselves available to interact with students outside class, link students to opportunities, and help them build their confidence as learners and potential contributors to society.
Nominators said Staniar goes above and beyond both inside and outside of the classroom to educate his students. He works hard to engage directly with students, but he also emphasizes their engagement with one another. He does this with an intentional and thoughtful use of the latest technology, often seeking advice from learning designers and peers to inform choices. He doesn’t sit behind a desk. His office is set up so that he can work directly with students.
He is a pioneer in remote learning, developing some of the first animal science courses that mix students from University Park, Commonwealth Campuses, and Penn State World Campus all in the same class. To develop these courses, nominators said, Staniar spends countless hours collaborating with fellow faculty and learning designers to develop videos that educate while also being enjoyable to watch.
“Staniar creates videos on horseback for what he affectionately calls ‘fireside chats,’” a nominator said. “Thus, while many faculty members struggled with the transition to online education, Burt is finding, testing and implementing techniques to serve students' desire to learn in this environment.”
Staniar’s approach quickly made him a student favorite, nominators said. Even though they recognize his high standards, they’re willing to put in the time because they realize the investment he is putting in for their education.
“Dr. Staniar is an excellent professor, one who inspires students to learn more about the subject, to become a better person in general, and to use what they learn not only in the classroom, but in all future endeavors,” a student said.
Nominators said Staniar’s engagement is apparent with his role in developing the Penn State Equine Research Team (PSERT), an undergraduate student organization founded in 2008. Recognizing his students were interested in equine nutrition in physiology, Staniar began PSERT as a way for a greater number of students to get engaged in research as undergraduates.
“Staniar wanted his undergraduate students to be contributors to the scientific process of research, including formulating hypotheses, developing and carrying out experiments, making observations, and presenting and discussing conclusions,” a nominator said. “PSERT allows students to do just that.”
That work is producing results. Staniar has co-authored several scientifically refereed journal articles with eight undergraduate students. These and many other students also have presented research and networked with others in the field at regional and national scientific conferences.
Through PSERT, Staniar and co-adviser Danielle Smarsh led a 2018 study tour to Florida where students learned about the horse racing industry, the challenges it faces, and the care that’s required for the animals. This is just one of many educational trips taken by PSERT. Others have been to Virginia, Kentucky, New York and California.
“Staniar is the model of a distinguished teacher, going beyond the classroom to not only educate students in the subject matter, but in various aspects of life, as well,” a nominator said. “His efforts both within the department and with individual students depict his willingness to go beyond simply expanding students’ knowledge of animal science. Rather, he seeks to engage students in activities that focus on developing leadership, entrepreneurship and personal responsibility.”