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Friday December 1, 2000

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UA economics professor wins Carnegie award

Headline Photo

KRISTIN ELVES

Professor Donald Wells grades some exams for his economics students in his office yesterday morning. Wells was the recipient of the 2000 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Arizona Professor of the Year award.

By Mindy Jones

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Economics infused with humor helps lecture come alive

Before many students have considered turning off their alarm, Donald Wells is turning on his computer and preparing for classes.

The 70-year old economics professor and recipient of more than a dozen teaching awards has recently added another plaque to his wall of accomplishments.

Wells received the 2000 Arizona Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Professor of the Year award earlier this month.

The Indiana native, who received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Oregon, considers the award an "honor" but said he still prefers to be called Mr. Wells.

"When I hear someone say Dr. Wells, I look for my stethoscope," he said. "The title really isn't important to me."

What is important to the professor, however, is teaching students how to be aware of their surroundings in a market economy.

This long-time subscriber to local and national newspapers said that although he became interested in economics in college, it wasn't until the end of his senior year in graduate school that he decided to teach what he knew best.

Wells cited the experience he gained from good teachers as a primary reason for entering the teaching field.

At the inspiration of a University of Virginia economics professor, Wells began teaching basic economic policy and free market relations at Southern Illinois University.

" I liked the interaction I had with students," he said. "I consider it almost a privilege to introduce new concepts and ideas to students."

In 1969, Wells moved to Tucson with his wife Jeanne, and joined the University of Arizona staff as an associate professor.

Although market relations has become more competitive over time, he said, his teaching style has remained constant in the classroom.

Wells said the key to efficient teaching is to make abstract concepts relevant to the student's lives.

Candace Bailey, an accounting senior and student in Wells' 8 a.m. Economics 330 class, said that he keeps the information pertinent with jokes and "subtle" test hints.

"The class has given me an understanding of economics that I didn't have in entry level courses," she said. "I can open up a newspaper now and know what the writers are talking about."

While other professors may read directly from their textbooks, Bailey added, Wells makes the information come "alive."

Wells said he believes this is possible, in part, because of his teaching experience in such foreign countries as Saudi Arabia, China and the Czech Republic.

The opportunity to lecture abroad, he added, often brings unique comparisons to our market economy apparent to students.

Sean Reynolds, head of the economics department, said that the award was merely another form of "external recognition" for the department.

"We already knew that Don was very good," he said. "This award is a nice bit of confirmation."

Reynolds, who has sat in on Wells' class before, said his attempts to connect to the class are very successful.

Although there is a significant age gap between Wells' and his students, he has no intention of talking about retirement.

"I don't even want to talk about old age," he said. "But I have been teaching for forty years."