Each year, Trinity Western University celebrates faculty whose teaching embodies academic excellence, thoughtful innovation, and a deep commitment to student learning. The Teaching Awards recognize instructors who shape transformative educational experiences and strengthen TWU’s Christ-centred approach to higher education.
During the spring 2026 graduation ceremonies on April 24 and 25, two faculty members were surprised on stage with this year’s honours: Assistant Professor of Communication Loranne Brown, recipient of the Provost Innovative Teaching Award, and Assistant Professor of Human Kinetics Andrew Heming, recipient of the Davis Distinguished Teaching Award. The awards were presented by Vice Provost of Academic Excellence Dr. Laurie Matthias on behalf of the Office of the Provost.
Celebrating innovation that enhances student learning
The Provost Innovative Teaching Award recognizes faculty who research, experiment with, and adapt new approaches to teaching that improve student learning. This year’s recipient, Loranne Brown, was honoured for her creative curriculum design and enthusiastic adoption of innovative teaching platforms and methods within the Media and Communication program.
Brown has been commended for pushing the boundaries of what effective teaching can look like while maintaining a strong focus on student engagement, hospitality, and academic rigour. Her work incorporates new technologies and pedagogical approaches that promote active, collaborative learning and critical thinking.
Students and colleagues point to her use of platforms such as Perusall, which transforms reading into a shared, interactive experience, as well as her development of distinctive courses, including travel writing. Brown is also recognized for thoughtfully incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into her curriculum, broadening students’ perspectives and enriching classroom dialogue.
An accomplished author and educator, Brown is known for designing curriculum that adapts to contemporary cultural contexts in ways that are both sensitive and purposeful, supporting diverse learning styles and encouraging students to take ownership of their intellectual development.
Students consistently describe Brown’s classes as immersive, rigorous, and supportive. One commentator shared that her curriculum is designed so students “read extensively, think constantly, and write on a daily basis,” helping them grow both in skill and confidence. Another reflected, “She is a capable and innovative guide in drawing out students’ talents and sharpening their skills. She has greatly contributed to the writer that I am today.”
Brown’s teaching emphasizes active learning through a variety of methods, creating a classroom environment where students can participate meaningfully with ideas and with one another.
Recognizing excellence in the craft of teaching
The Davis Distinguished Teaching Award is presented annually to a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding skill in the craft of teaching and who has made a significant contribution to the pedagogical life of the University. This year’s recipient, Andrew Heming, was recognized for his impact across a wide range of courses and learning contexts.
Heming teaches throughout the Human Kinetics program as well as FNDN 102, consistently earning strong commendations from students and colleagues alike. Nominations describe him as an educator who brings passion, clarity, and compassion into every learning environment. One nomination reflected, “I have been impressed by his ability to stimulate engagement in the class, answer thoughtful questions from students, and teach with passion and extensive knowledge.” The selection committee noted the remarkable quantity and quality of nominations in support of his candidacy.
Students note Heming’s attentiveness to them as individuals, his ability to learn names even in large classes, and his commitment to connecting course material with lived experience. As one student shared, “Andrew Heming is one of the most caring and intentional professors I have had at TWU. He taught me what it means to be a good teacher, and I will always look back on my time with him as I reflect on the kind of teacher I want to become.”
Heming’s teaching is also marked by a clear and thoughtful integration of Christian faith with academic discipline. Students regularly reference the meaningful ways he connects Scripture to the study of physical education, health, and human movement, inviting learners to consider both professional practice and personal formation.
Across classrooms, fitness spaces, and one-on-one conversations, Heming is recognized as a teacher who is fully present, highly organized, and deeply invested in student success. His influence extends beyond his own courses, with colleagues noting his willingness to mentor other faculty and share resources that strengthen teaching across the University.
Honouring teaching that shapes the TWU experience
Recipients of the Teaching Awards are selected through a nomination process involving deans, faculty, and students. Together, these awards reflect TWU’s commitment to excellent teaching that is dynamic, innovative, and grounded in Christian faith.
As the University celebrates graduates this spring, Loranne Brown and Andrew Heming stand as exemplars of the care, creativity, and dedication that define the teaching and learning experience at Trinity Western University.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. TWU has its main campus in Langley, B.C. and campus sites in Richmond, B.C. and Ottawa, Ont.
Learn more at twu.ca or follow @TrinityWestern on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. For media inquiries, please contact media@twu.ca.