UNIVERSITY-WIDE AWARDS HONOR OUTSTANDING TEACHING CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., April 23 -- Challenging. Stimulating. Intellectually curious. Engaged. Committed. Those are just a few of the adjectives used by students and colleagues to describe fourteen University of Virginia professors and four graduate teaching assistants who have been named 1997 winners of University-wide awards honoring outstanding teaching. Chosen from among dozens of exceptional nominations and departmental recommendations supported by testimonials from students and faculty, this year's recipients of the annual honors will be feted tonight (April 23) in the Rotunda at the University's sixth annual "In Celebration of Teaching" banquet, hosted by President John T. Casteen III and Vice President and Provost Peter Low. "Teaching Awards Committee members annually note how inspiring it is to read about the excellent teaching taking place throughout the University," said professor Marva A. Barnett, director of the Teaching Resource Center, which coordinates the awards. "We also greatly appreciate the dedication and support of department chairs, dean and others in nominating their colleagues and teaching assistants for these awards." The 1997 teaching award-winners are: ¥ J. Milton Adams, professor of biomedical engineering: 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 $3,000 prize. ¥ James A. Smith, assistant professor of civil engineering: The Alumni Board of Trustees Teaching Award. The award is given 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. Winners of All-University Outstanding Teaching Awards, each carrying a $2,000 prize and recognizing ability to inspire and motivate students, include: ¥ James Cargile, professor of philosophy ¥ Bruce P. Hayden, professor of environmental sciences ¥ Michael J. Klarman, professor of law ¥ David H. Perrin, professor of education ¥ Dennis R. Proffitt, professor of psychology Winners of All-University Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards, each carrying a $1,000 prize for teaching excellence, are: ¥ Linda Johnson, biology ¥ Matthew Lassiter, history ¥ Jay Morris, philosophy Winner of the Resident Teaching Award in the School of Medicine, carrying a $1,000 prize, is Dr. Scott E. Langenburg, surgery. The University Teaching Fellows Program, funded through the Office of the Provost, supports junior faculty of outstanding ability in efforts to design or redesign courses. The year-long program includes a $5,500 summer fellowship. Winners are: ¥ Erik J. Fernandez, assistant professor of chemical engineering ¥ Jose D. Fuentes, assistant professor of environmental sciences ¥ Fred E. Maus, associate professor of music ¥ Esther Menn, assistant professor of religious studies ¥ Manuel D. Rossetti, assistant professor of systems engineering ¥ Alessandro Vettori, assistant professor of Italian Earlier this year, law professor Pamela S. Karlan received a 1997 Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Commonwealth's highest honor for college and university teaching. ### April 22, 1997 For additional information please contact Marva Barnett at the Teaching Resource Center at (804) 982-2815 or Bob Brickhouse in U.Va. News Services at (804) 924-7116. Television reporters should contact our TV News Office at (804) 924-7550.