Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 920/832-6590
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2000

Lawrence University Honors Two State Teachers as "Outstanding Educators" 
at Commencement


     APPLETON, WIS. -- Robert Boyle, social studies teacher at
Shullsburg High School, and Robert Peterson, science and mathematics
teacher at Frederic High School, will be honored as exceptional
educators Sunday, June 11 as part of Lawrence University's 151st commencement.
             Since 1985, Lawrence has recognized two state secondary school
teachers for excellence with students in and out of the classroom with
its Outstanding Teaching in Wisconsin Award.  
     The recipients are nominated by Lawrence seniors and selected for
their abilities to communicate their subject effectively, create a sense of
excitement in the classroom and motivate their students to pursue 
academic excellence. Each receives a certificate, a citation and a 
monetary award.
     Boyle joined the faculty of Shullsburg High School in 1972 and
currently teaches American history, economics and social problems.  For
25 years he has served as the school advisor to the VFW's Voice of
Democracy program and has coordinated Shullsburgıs participation in the
annual World Affairs Seminar since 1985.  Boyle also advises 10
different school teams in the annual state stock market game. 
     In addition to his classroom duties, Boyle has been the head coach
of both the cross country and track teams and has served as Shullsburg
athletic director since 1988.  
     In nominating him for the award, Lawrence senior Vanessa Curtis, a
1996 Shullburg High School graduate, said Boyle consistently "inspired
his students to want to learn...[his] enthusiasm for teaching has had an
impact on all of his students. The self-confidence he helped me gain was 
invaluable as I began my college career."
     A Boy Scouts volunteer and a Sunday school teacher, Boyle earned
his bachelor's degree at UW-La Crosse and his master's degree in
secondary education from UW- Platteville.       
     Peterson began his teaching career at Frederic High School in 1973.
Carrying one of the faculty's heaviest class assignments, Peterson
regularly teaches six different classes each day -- applied math,
physical science, physics, geometry, math IV and calculus.
     In the early 1980s, when the first microcomputers came on the
market, Peterson purchased two computers and started teaching a course
in basic programming.  In 1985, during his prep periods, he initiated a
calculus course for individual students that has since grown into a
regular calculus class that enrolled 11 of this year's 60 seniors.  
     Peterson also founded the first wrestling program at Frederic in
1973 and coached the varsity squad for 26 years before retiring last
year.
     "Frederic High School is very small and offers no Advanced
Placement courses for gifted students, but [he] works to make sure the
material in his classes challenge even the best students," said Lawrence
senior Andy Peterson, a 1996 Frederic High School graduate in nominating
his father for the teaching award. "However, his individualized
attention is not reserved for only his best students.  He makes great
efforts to ensure that his weaker students reach their potential as
well.  His dedication and hard work in the classroom has gained him the
respect of the students, faculty, administration and the community of
Frederic."
     A native of Hudson, Peterson earned his bachelor's degree in
mathematics and physics at UW-River Falls.