Successes: Notable Professors and Departments at Florida Universities

John Pearson [Photo: Stetson University]

John Pearson

Professor of English
Stetson University, DeLand

Recognition: Pearson has won numerous teaching awards, including the 2010 John Hague Teaching Award for outstanding teaching in the liberal arts and sciences, the university's McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2004 and the Hand Award for research and creative and professional activity in 2000.

From student evaluations: "I can't imagine any other professor doing a better job teaching this course than Dr. Pearson." ."Dr. Pearson has an invaluable gift of taking the most convoluted subjects and bringing them into easy to grasp conversations." ."This is one of the best classes that I've ever had."

Mike Foley with student [Photo: University of Florida/ Laurie Hice Michaelson]

Mike Foley

Professor of journalism
University of Florida, Gainesville

Recognition: Within a few years of leaving the St. Petersburg Times to teach journalism at UF, Foley was named the university's teacher of the year. The longtime journalist, whose jobs at the Times included executive editor, managing editor and vice president of community relations, focuses now on teaching news reporting and writing.

RateMyProfessors.com snippets:
• "He's funny, entertaining and knows how difficult reporting is and tries to lighten up the lectures."
• "Foley is extremely helpful and understanding. And hilarious."
• "I switched from PR to journalism as a major because of this class."

Tags: Education