The UH System

Who We Are

Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Davis Award Winner

Mary Kay Tanka, headshot

Mary Kay Tanka
Kaua‘i

Mary Kay Tanka is a nursing instructor at Kaua‘i Community College. She is an expert professional nurse, inspiring and caring instructor and a trusted and respected colleague.

Tanka encourages students to develop and take ownership of their nursing practice and to become lifelong learners as they grow in their profession and in their personal lives. Along with her positive attitude, she brings her knowledge, experience and insight into the classroom in a way that makes her students eager to learn more and inspires them to do their best and work together.

Tanka is an excellent instructor, mentor and friend, and her dedication to the education of professional nurses is exemplary.

The Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes dedication and demonstrated excellence as teachers of undergraduate students. It was established as a memorial to the late Frances Davis, who taught mathematics at Leeward Community College and UH Manoa for 19 years.

Select a recipient for more about that individual or view winners from 2002-2006.

2011

Linda Furuto, headshot
Linda Furuto
West O‘ahu
Tomoko Iwai, headshot
Tomoko Iwai
Manoa
Susan Jaworowski, headshot
Susan Jaworowski
Kapi‘olani

2009

Abegail Kopf, headshot
Abegail Kopf
Kapi‘olani
Lisa Parr, headshot
Lisa Parr
Hilo
Taupouri Tangaro, headshot
Taupouri Tangaro
Hawai‘i
Stefanie Wilson, headshot
Stefanie Wilson
West O‘ahu

2008

Todd Belt, headshot
Todd Belt
Hilo
Kimo Chun, headshot
Kimo Chun
Kaua‘i

2007

Davin Kubota, headshot
Davin Kubota
Kapi‘olani
Yida Wang, headshot
Yida Wang
Manoa

Past winners from 2002-2006.