His recognition as one of the province's top teachers is a thril because it represents all the continuing efforts to strengthen the role of teaching at the University of Windsor, says Don Leslie.

The social work professor is one of five recipients of the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA) Teaching Award who will be honoured at a ceremony next month in Toronto.

“I think we’ve put a lot of energy into developing our programs,” he said. “It’s in the classroom where these activities really come to fruition and where we can excite fresh minds to stand on our shoulders and carry on.”

Selection committee member Zopito Marini, a professor at Brock University, said Dr. Leslie has distinguished himself through many forms of educational leadership.

“Whether through his continuous involvement in curriculum development, teaching innovations, mentorship of students and junior colleagues, or thoughtful advocacy of increased accessibility to university education for all, Prof. Leslie brings exceptional commitment and ability to his teaching,” Marini said.

Alan Wright, the University of Windsor’s Vice-Provost of Teaching and Learning, nominated Leslie for the award.

"Through his achievements and his dedicated service to the campus community, Don Leslie has made post-secondary education more accessible and more inclusive, both at the University of Windsor and beyond," he said.

Founded in 1964, OCUFA represents 16,000 faculty and academic librarians in 26 faculty associations across Ontario. It has been celebrating outstanding achievement in teaching and academic librarianship at Ontario universities since 1973. In that time, 26 University of Windsor professors have won its teaching award.