The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing has selected
Duane Schmutzer of Gering, as its 2000 recipient of the Rosalee C. Yeaworth
Teaching Excellence Award. Schmutzer is an assistant professor of nursing
at the UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff.
Thirty-one nominations were received for this years award. Criteria
for the award includes inspiring students, creating a caring learning environment,
demonstrating creativity in teaching, making a lasting impression on students
and serving as a positive role model as a nurse educator. In 1979, Dr.
Yeaworth became the fourth dean of the UNMC College of Nursing in Omaha
and served in this position for 15 years. She continues to teach at the
college as emeritus professor of nursing.
Schmutzer, also a practicing pastor at the Mitchell Evangelical Free
Church in Mitchell, Neb., holds four bachelors degrees, three masters
degrees and is currently a doctoral candidate. He earned his bachelors
degree in nursing from UNMC in 1986 and a masters degree in nursing from
the University of Colorado Health Science Center in 1992.
Schmutzer has practiced nursing since 1961 in a variety of health settings,
including in West Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff, West Nebraska
Technical College in Sidney, Chadron State College in Chadron and Mount
Sinai Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago. He has taught nursing since
1965. He also practiced and taught for 17 years in Swaziland and Natal
in South Africa.
He is a graduate of Falls City High School in Falls City, Neb.
His many nominators said he is an exceptional teacher.
He was nominated by nearly all the students and faculty and past graduates
for his outstanding teaching, said Gloria Gross, assistant dean of the
UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff. He is a
superb teacher who always receives excellent evaluations from his students.
He is a role model to students and a fine man.
Schmutzer said he is humbled to receive the award.
Its a great honor for me to receive this award, he said. I love
teaching. My students are my impetous for living. Every year, new students
come in and give me a whole new perspective and vigor for teaching.