U.Va. Teachers Honored For Inspirational Work

April 21, 2003 -- They have the “right stuff,” and they are everywhere. Year after year, University of Virginia students and faculty testify to the special ability of teachers in their midst who help their students grow, both personally and intellectually.

An extraordinary degree of dedication and caring characterizes the dozens of junior and senior faculty nominated for University-wide awards celebrating outstanding teaching. The 2003 award-winners, selected by a committee from nominations backed by numerous testimonials, will be honored May 1 in the Rotunda at the University’s 13th annual “In Celebration of Teaching” banquet. Vice President and Provost Gene D. Block and Teaching Resource Center Director Marva A. Barnett will present the awards.

Learning about the teaching philosophies and methods of so many exemplary mentors is an inspirational experience for committee members, said Barnett, who coordinated the awards. “The awards committee was struck this year with the high quality of the nominations and with the great skills winners exhibit. They all showed impressive knowledge of their disciplines; care for students and students’ learning; and an ability to challenge students while helping connect ideas and think in new ways.”

The 2003 honorees include:

• Claire Cronmiller, associate professor of biology: the Cavaliers’ Distinguished Teaching Professorship. The endowed two-year chair, honoring excellent teaching, is partly supported by athletic bowl earnings.
• Kenneth Schwartz, associate professor of architecture: the Alumni Association Distinguished Professor Award. The annual award is given to a faculty member who has excelled as a teacher, shown unusual concern for students and made significant contributions to University life for at least a decade. The winner receives a $2,500 prize.
• Paul Freedman, assistant professor of politics: the Alumni Board of Trustees Teaching Award. The award is made to an assistant professor for demonstrated skill in teaching and carries a $1,000 prize, with $1,500 in additional support and offers a semester’s research assignment.
• Pamela Kulbok, associate professor of nursing: the USEMS Outstanding Teaching Award. The award goes to a faculty member who has taught with unusual success in the University Seminars program of intensive classes for first-year students. The award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote critical thinking skills and carries a $1,500 prize.

Winners of All-University Teaching Awards, each carrying a $2,000 prize and recognizing ability to inspire and motivate students, are:

• Gerard Alexander, associate professor of politics
• Barry Cushman, professor of law and history
• Dean Dass, professor of art
• Jonathan Haidt, associate professor of psychology
• Donald Jordan, assistant professor of engineering
• Dr. Mark Mendelsohn, associate professor of medicine
• Pamela Roland, assistant professor of continuing and professional studies
• Laura Smolkin, associate professor of education

Winners of All-University Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards, each carrying a $1,000 prize for teaching excellence, are:

• Holly Hom, psychology
• James Mabry, electrical and computer engineering
• Elizabeth Rohlman, religious studies
• Jeffrey A. Claridge, M.D., medicine

Winners of University Teaching Fellowships, assistant professors chosen for their promise of becoming eminent researchers and inspiring teachers, receive a $7,000 research
stipend to develop new courses and participate in interdisciplinary discussions about teaching and professional issues. Fellows chosen this year are:

• Lawrie Balfour, politics
• Hilary Bart-Smith, mechanical and aerospace engineering
• Ira Bashkow, anthropology
• Paolo D’Odorico, environmental sciences
• Louis P. Nelson, architectural history
• Roseanna M. Neupauer, civil engineering
• Kevin Skadron, computer science

Contact: Bob Brickhouse, (434) 924-6856

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Contact the Office of University Relations at (434) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact the TV News Office at (434) 924-7550.

SOURCE: U.Va. News Services

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Last Modified: Monday, 21-Apr-2003 10:58:34 EDT
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