2008 Woodie Awards
Instructor leads change, leaves behind legacy
Instructor worked to make auto instruction engaging
Suzanna Caldwell
Issue date: 6/24/08 Section: News
Ed Peace, an instructor in UAA's automotive diesel program, died May 25 after an extended battle with lung cancer. Peace was 68.
But for students and faculty, Peace's passing leaves behind a legacy far reaching and long lasting. Other faculty have said that Peace's passion for teaching and compassion for his students went far beyond the call of duty.
"He will be sorely missed," said fellow instructor Craig 'Chip' Defendorf. "He did a lot of good for the program."
An active and engaging professor, Peace strove to make automotive programs accessible to all students.
Defendorf could only describe Peace as "animated" in the classroom.
"Jumping, moving around, showing students things when he had to show something that was in motion," said Defendorf, currently an adjunct teacher who Peace encouraged to join on staff.
Defendorf said that Peace cared deeply for the students. If they ran into trouble, it affected him as if they were his own children.
One problem Peace took on was upgrading the women's bathroom facilities in the Auto/Diesel Building. Before, women could only use what Defendorf described as a "broom closet," complete with no doors and a single shower curtain to act as a barrier.
"It could have been anyone. He probably said something to someone like (University of Alaska President) Hamilton," Defendorf said. "(He would have said) 'Take a look at what these women have to deal with.'"
Gilbert Kormelink met Peace two years ago when he was trying to figure out financial aid to go to school. At 44, Kormelink was an untraditional student looking to learn more.
"He understood that I needed to learn, and we bonded," said Kormelink, now a junior. "I was there for a reason."
Komelink said that Peace always made sure to answer any students' questions. He said that even if he did not know the answer, he would go out of his way to make sure the student's question was answered.
Peace also worked hard to make sure students remained engaged in the automotive department. He helped out at barbeques and brought doughnuts and orange juice to his students on the weekends.
But for students and faculty, Peace's passing leaves behind a legacy far reaching and long lasting. Other faculty have said that Peace's passion for teaching and compassion for his students went far beyond the call of duty.
"He will be sorely missed," said fellow instructor Craig 'Chip' Defendorf. "He did a lot of good for the program."
An active and engaging professor, Peace strove to make automotive programs accessible to all students.
Defendorf could only describe Peace as "animated" in the classroom.
"Jumping, moving around, showing students things when he had to show something that was in motion," said Defendorf, currently an adjunct teacher who Peace encouraged to join on staff.
Defendorf said that Peace cared deeply for the students. If they ran into trouble, it affected him as if they were his own children.
One problem Peace took on was upgrading the women's bathroom facilities in the Auto/Diesel Building. Before, women could only use what Defendorf described as a "broom closet," complete with no doors and a single shower curtain to act as a barrier.
"It could have been anyone. He probably said something to someone like (University of Alaska President) Hamilton," Defendorf said. "(He would have said) 'Take a look at what these women have to deal with.'"
Gilbert Kormelink met Peace two years ago when he was trying to figure out financial aid to go to school. At 44, Kormelink was an untraditional student looking to learn more.
"He understood that I needed to learn, and we bonded," said Kormelink, now a junior. "I was there for a reason."
Komelink said that Peace always made sure to answer any students' questions. He said that even if he did not know the answer, he would go out of his way to make sure the student's question was answered.
Peace also worked hard to make sure students remained engaged in the automotive department. He helped out at barbeques and brought doughnuts and orange juice to his students on the weekends.
Be the first to comment on this story