Early Bird

Congrats to our Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week winners

These exceptional faculty, staff and student employees are shining examples of dedication, innovation and excellence.

By Lindsey Coulter

October 22, 2020

Nominations continue to roll in for Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week awards, highlighting the excellent and important work happening at all levels of the University. This week, we celebrate three members of our University community who inspire students and their colleagues.

“Based on some glowing nominations, this week’s winners all have a talent for connecting with their fellow employees and students,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “Especially in this new world of social distancing and primarily remote working and learning, building and maintaining relationships is even more important. Congratulations to our winners.”

Faculty winner – Benjamin Dyhr, Ph.D., associate professor, Mathematics

Nominated by Stephanie Hall, student, who wrote:

“I took Dr. Benjamin Dyhr’s Math for Liberal Arts course during the spring 2020 semester. Beyond being an outstanding educator, Dr. Dyhr went above and beyond for every one of his students. He did everything he could so we could learn most effectively remotely, including assisting us during his off hours.

I am a learning-disabled student with number and symbol dyslexia, and Dr. Dyhr taught me in a way that I could understand. I achieved a wonderful grade. Not once in my life as a student have I passed a math class with flying colors – until I took Dr. Dyhr’s class. He truly is an asset to the MSU Denver community. He deserves this award and more!”

MSU Denver is a community of diverse learners, and it takes talented, innovative faculty members to meet our academic mission. Thank you, Benjamin, for your efforts to build a strong rapport with your students and to help them truly connect with their coursework. This is such an inspiring success story.

Staff/administrator winner – Metza Templeton, systems specialist

Nominated by Connie Sanders, interim registrar, who wrote:

“Metza is an MSU Denver alumna and a longtime team member in the Registrar’s Office as a System Specialist. She is also known as the Room Scheduler Guru. This essentially means she rooms and schedules MSU Denver courses. Metza’s expertise has always been relied upon by both faculty and staff; however, when the pandemic hit and we had to quickly pivot to online learning and the way courses were built, Metza’s expertise was immediately sought to ensure that the right decisions were being made to meet student, faculty and staff needs. Metza is an invaluable asset not only to the Registrar’s Office but to MSU Denver. She is typically the first person that academic departments call with any course or rooming issue/concern. She was an essential member and contributor to the summer 2020, fall 2020 and now spring 2021 Course Planning Team. She works in concert with Facilities as well to ensure that Banner coding and the EMS planning system are accurately reflecting safety and that course needs are being met. Metza is an unsung hero in MSU Denver’s quick pivot to serving students remotely. I am honored to nominate her for this award.”

Thank you, Metza, for your organization, attention to detail, and for your commitment to keeping all Roadrunners safe while on campus. Your ability to build relationships within your own team and across departments is a great example of our CADRE+ values in action.

Student-employee winner – Kyle Tyner, laboratory teaching assistant

Nominated by Alycia Palmer, Ph.D., laboratory instructor, Chemistry and Biochemistry, who wrote:

“Kyle has risen above his expectations as a laboratory teaching assistant and supplemental instructor. Even as the semester picked up steam, he put the welfare of other students first by making extended office hours and by helping professors in a pinch to prepare for labs. Kyle is always willing to help! No question is too basic, and no lab prep task is too tedious. Many students are persisting in this challenging time due to his continuous effort to help others.”

Kyle, it sounds like you are a great example of a Roadrunner. Your academic commitment, your desire to help others succeed and your ability to build relationships and balance multiple responsibilities are very impressive. Don’t forget to put this recognition on your résumé!

To nominate outstanding employees for the Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week award, please complete the form on the Roadrunner Shoutout of the Week webpage. Tell us how your nominee is making an impact through great teaching, service to students or innovation. Winners will be selected each week and profiled in the Early Bird on Thursdays. Winners will also get a shoutout on social media.