“Brilliant!” “Generous.” “Charismatic!” “Indispensable.” These are a few of the descriptions students and colleagues used to describe the 2012 University Teaching Awards recipients.
Twenty-four people in nine different categories received the award, the highest campus-wide recognition for teaching excellence. The winners, many of whom are in the College of Arts and Sciences, were recognized during halftime of the Carolina – Virginia men’s basketball game on Feb. 12.
A banquet will be held at the Carolina Club on April 26 to present the awards and further honor the winners.
The Distinguished Teaching Awards for Post-Baccalaureate Instruction are given to four faculty members to honor exceptional teaching of post-baccalaureate students. This year’s recipients are Jon Hacke, assistant professor, department of allied health sciences – physical therapy, School of Medicine; as well as Oswaldo Estrada, assistant professor, department of Romance languages; Carole Blair, professor, department of communication studies; and Randall Styers, associate professor, department of religious studies, all in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Tanner Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching are given to five faculty members in recognition of excellence in undergraduate teaching. This year’s awards go to Lisa Woodley, clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing; as well as Nasser Isleem, lecturer in Arabic, department of Asian studies; Daniel Cobb, associate professor, department of Indian studies; Reginald Hildebrand, associate professor, department of African and Afro-American studies; and Eric Youngstrom, professor, department of psychology, all in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement acknowledges longtime contributions to teaching, learning and mentoring beyond the classroom. Jean DeSaix, senior lecturer, department of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, is this year’s recipient.
The Chapman Family Teaching Awards are given to full-time faculty members for excellence in undergraduate teaching. The 2012 winners are Jim Ketch, professor, department of music; Patrick Curran, professor, department of psychology; and Jennifer Ho, associate professor, department of English and comparative literature, all in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The J. Carlyle Sitterson Freshman Teaching Awards are given to individuals who exemplify excellence in teaching first-year students. This year’s winners are Miguel LaSerna, assistant professor, department of history, and Mark Peifer, Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor, department of biology, both in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The William C. Friday Award for Excellence in Teaching goes to an individual who demonstrates excellence in inspirational teaching. The 2012 recipient is Lawrence Rosenfeld, professor, department of communication studies, College of Arts and Sciences.
The Johnston Teaching Excellence Award is given to two faculty members for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Recipients this year are Donald Hornstein, Aubrey L. Brooks Professor of Law, School of Law; and Julie Fishell, senior lecturer, department of dramatic art, College of Arts and Sciences.
The Tanner Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching by Graduate Teaching Assistants recognize the accomplishments of five graduate teaching assistants. Winners are Susan Cohen, Kenan-Flagler Business School; as well as Anthony Diercks, economics; Jason Combs, religious studies; James Sias, philosophy; and Kristjen Lundberg, psychology, all in the College of Arts and Sciences.
This year’s nominee for the Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching is Linda Spremulli, professor, department of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences. This award is given to a tenured faculty member on each campus of the UNC system for exceptional undergraduate teaching over a sustained period of time.
