David Reynolds has been named employee of the second quarter by the University of Arkansas Global Campus.

Reynolds is an animation specialist on the media production team, which is a part of the Instructional Design and Support Services unit. Reynolds and the rest of the unit empower faculty to be innovative in their teaching strategies by providing expertise in animation, video, design and learning technology.

Reynolds, who has 37 years of experience, produces digital animation that helps faculty teach essential, complex or abstract content in meaningful ways. A two-minute video "University of Arkansas Teaching Innovation" shows Reynolds' work in creating a virtual chemical plant that explains how chemical reactions take place, illustrating the reproductive hierarchy inside a bee hive, and demonstrating how goods are moved through a supply chain.

"David has raised the department to the next level," Donald Judges, interim vice provost for distance education.  "His expertise provides faculty with animated illustrations that help students draw meaning and context from course content. We believe this approach helps students retain new knowledge and leads to academic success."

Reynolds developed special effects software used in several motion pictures, including Robocop 2, Bram Stoker's Dracula, and Drop Dead Fred. Throughout his career, Reynolds has served as a software developer, an art director, a producer and a designer for ad agencies, film and video production companies, television broadcasters, and government agencies.

Reynolds joined the Global Campus about two years ago and accepted the employee award at a recent staff meeting. He shared the spotlight with the student interns who work with him.

"I wish I had brought the interns to this meeting," Reynolds said. "I'd give this award to them.  The interns do an incredible amount of work, are eager to learn, and always bring new ideas into our department. The synergy produced by having them on our team is amazing."

The Global Campus awards the employee of the quarter honor to recognize outstanding achievement and accomplishments that relate to the unit's goals and the U of A mission. The other second-quarter nominees were Miran Kang, Noel Sharif and Charini Urteaga.

The award winner receives a commemorative certificate and a monetary award.