Denise Denton

College of Human Sciences
Established to recognize exemplary service to students in the form of teaching and/or supervision.

 

Denise Denton

Senior Lecturer

Kinesiology

 

Lecturer/Clinician/Adjunct Faculty Distinguished Service Award

 

As an instructor for HS 215 (Drug Education) – a course that she has taught for almost eighteen years– Denise Denton is anything but traditional. While imparting knowledge about the composition, physiological effects, and destructive potential of drugs to students, Denton brings the classroom to life by utilizing videos, cartoons, music, debates, guest speakers, poetry, games, role play activities, Legos, card tricks, and even X-rays.

As one student said, “The energy that Denise brought into class was phenomenal. She had the class laughing and involved the very first day and continued to do so throughout the semester. She made learning about drugs interesting and fun, while always conveying the seriousness of the topic.”

Denton accomplishes the latter by challenging each of her students to introspectively consider their goals in life and how just one bad decision can impact them. She also shares with students many of her personal experiences at Youth and Shelter Services, where she has served as the community/youth development coordinator since 1981.
Through this sharing, Denton has attracted many students to join her in public service. “Her enthusiasm was contagious,” recalled a former student who now works at the Iowa Department of Public Health. “After talking to her, I wanted to do what she did. I didn’t care that the pay wasn’t great or that it could be a thankless job – if I impacted one life, that would be enough for me.”

One former student, who received a weekly care package from Denton while deployed in Iraq, clearly summarized her impact: “She gives 150% everyday to those students, children, and faculty with whom she comes in contact. Why can’t we have more individuals like Denise?”