(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 17, 2005) - Phoenix College chemistry instructor, Dr. Eddie Ong was selected as the 2005-2006 Distinguished Teacher of the Year for his contributions to both the college and his students.

Dr. Ong was nominated by a student and had a number of his classes visited and evaluated by members of the DTA committee. He received a Distinguished Teaching Award plaque during the Spring 2005 graduation ceremony, as well as an expense paid trip to a professional conference and/or seminar (up to $1,500) where he will have an opportunity to share his teaching methods and techniques with other faculty members.

Additionally, he will participate in a new faculty orientation meeting, where he will share teaching strategies and will also serve a three-year term on the Distinguished Teaching Award selection committee.

Dr. Ong has a rich history in the chemistry profession. His research endeavors expand across the Southwest from the Center for Solid State Science at Arizona State University (ASU) to Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. While at ASU he worked on the IN-VSEE project developing online resources and overseeing its day-to-day operations. Additionally, he managed the multi-user SPM Facility at the university. He also worked as a researcher for the corporate headquarters of Allied-Signal in New Jersey.

In addition to his extensive research, Dr. Ong carries a long list of published work and teaching credentials. He has taught an array of courses at Phoenix College, Glendale Community College, Scottsdale Community College, Arizona State University and Northern New Mexico Community College.

This year's Distinguished Teaching Award recipient describes himself as a rather interactive instructor who embraces the diversity of students' learning styles. His lectures included many demonstrations that illustrate how some of the abstract concepts in Chemistry apply to occurrences in everyday life. He is dedicated to the goal of popularizing the sciences and mathematics and making them more accessible to the general public.

Previous recipients have included Mickie Bond (Biology), Dr. Jeanne Fitzgerald (Math), Delia Escalante (Foreign Language), Linda Tramel (Child Family Studies), Dr. Albert Celoza (Liberal Arts), Cindy Brennan (Gerontology), Dr. Richard Malena (Culture & Applied Social Sciences), Ken Roberts (Applied Arts & Human Sciences), Liz O'Brien (Communication, American Sign Language, Theater & Film), Jed Allen (English/Creative Writing), Tom Adamson (Math), Deborah Ermoian (Math), Pam Rogers (English/ESL), Lucia Kisiel (Math), and Dr. Don Miehls (Liberal Arts).

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