One way to gauge Dr. Gary Coll's dedication to his students is in terms of the guest speakers he brings to class. During his three decades at UW Oshkosh, his students have heard from such luminaries as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and Pultizer Prize winning reporter and editor Jacqui Banaszynski.

Another way to measure his contributions to the campus would be by considering the work he has done outside the classroom.

These include volunteering to officiate women's track-and-field events for more than 20 years and serving as the first executive director of the Northeastern Wisconsin Scholastic Press Association, an organization of more than 50 high schooljournalism programs that he founded 32 years ago and that now sponsors a highly successful annual conference on campus each spring.

Yet another indicator of his commitment to excellence in journalism education is his publication record, which includes a 2002 textbook on graphic communications as well as a 1997 guide to media law in Wisconsin. Significantly both books are tied directly to Dr. Coll's teaching interests and demonstrate how students can benefit from instructors who are also active scholars.

But without a doubt, the best way to measure Dr. Coll's impact at UW Oshkosh is the success of his students, who have gone on to distinguished careers in newspapers, radio, Web publishing, marketing, politics and corporate communications.

"I graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 1982 with a degree in journalism and have since worked in the public relations department of a Fortune 500 corporation, on the staff of Boating magazine and as editor-in-chief of Boat and Outside Business magazines," says Charles Plueddeman, who is now a freelance writer. "Not a day goes by when I do not utilize the skills taught me by Dr. Coll, or call upon his inspiration in my work."

"My interest in my students is long-term and continues after they have graduated and begun their careers," Dr. Coll says. "I currently maintain regular correspondence with more than 50 alumni (from the 1960s to 2001) and share with my classes a good deal of what I learn about professional matters from these friends."

In recognition of his efforts, Dr. Coll received a Distinguished Teaching Award this year. "In more than 30 years on the journalism faculty, Gary Coll has taught 15 different courses in the journalism department, published two books, served as adviser to the department's honorary society and helped thousands of students become successful journalists," said Chancellor Richard Wells. "His passion for teaching and his high level of professionalism have inspired his students to the extent that many of them still seek his mentorship and advice long after graduation."

Dr. Coll, who was chair of the department from 1983 to 1989, earned a bachelor's of science and master's in journalism from Ohio University. His doctorate is from Southern Illinois University.

He currently teaches throughout the department's program, from the introductory freshman-level class to the senior-level law of mass communication class. "I have been challenged many times in my teaching career," Dr. Coll says. "Not only has subject matter changed, sometimes at revolutionary speeds, but there is more to consider in each of my teaching areas: law, history of journalism and graphic arts. A continuing challenge has been to engage students and introduce them to theory and philosophy at a time when they are trying strongly to focus their academic efforts on developing professional skills they feel will earn them a job when they graduate."

Dr. Coll's contributions are well recognized by his colleagues in the department. "To professor Coll, there is no difference between weekdays and weekends in terms of his working schedule," says Dr. James Tsao, department chair. "He has spent countless hours during many weekends working on his studies, updating his lectures, preparing committee reports and so forth. If he is not in his office, you could find him helping students with their assignments in one of the journalism computer labs."