Faculty From Across Campus Recognized For Teaching

Posted on Feb. 7, 2013

Twenty-four instructors in 18 departments or schools have received the 2013 University Teaching Awards, the highest campuswide recognition for teaching excellence.

The winners were recognized during halftime of the Carolina-Virginia Tech men’s basketball game on Feb. 2. A banquet will be held at The Carolina Club in April 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:

• Pamela Cooper, an associate professor in English and comparative literature;
• Russell Mumper, John McNeill Distinguished Professor, pharmacy;
• Eliza Richards, an associate professor in English and comparative literature; and
• Anthony Viera ’06 (MPH), Distinguished Associate Professor, family medicine.

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:

• Jennifer Coble ’06 (PhD), a lecturer in biology;
• Corey Johnson, also a lecturer in biology;
• Donna LeFebvre ’75 (JD), senior lecturer, political science;
• Andrew Reynolds, adjunct associate professor, global studies; and
• Chad Stevens, assistant professor, journalism and mass communication.

The Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement acknowledges longtime contributions to teaching, learning and mentoring beyond the classroom. Lawrence Grossberg, Distinguished Professor in communication studies is this year’s recipient.

The Chapman Family Teaching Awards are given to full-time faculty members for excellence in undergraduate teaching. The 2013 winners are:

• Mark Crescenzi, associate professor, political science;
• Jane Thrailkill, Distinguished Term Professor, English and comparative literature;
• Brett Whalen, associate professor, history; and
• Rachel Willis, associate professor, American studies.

The J. Carlyle Sitterson Freshman Teaching Awards are given to individuals who exemplify excellence in teaching first-year students. This year’s winners are:

• Christian Lundberg, associate professor, communication studies; and
• Mai Nguyen, assistant professor, city and regional planning.

The William C. Friday/Class of 1986 Award for Excellence in Teaching goes to an individual who demonstrates excellence in inspirational teaching. The 2013 recipient is Sharon James, associate professor, classics.

The Johnston Teaching Excellence Award is given to two faculty members for excellence in undergraduate teaching. Recipients this year are:

• Valerie Ashby ’88 (’94 PhD), professor, chemistry; and
• Benjamin Meier, assistant professor, public policy.

The Tanner Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching by Graduate Teaching Assistants recognize the accomplishments of five graduate teaching assistants. Winners are:

• Rachel Bayless, mathematics;
• Raphael Ginsberg ’05, communication studies;
• Tim Miller, music;
• Roger Putnam, geological sciences; and
• Danny Sques, economics.

This year’s nominee for the UNC System Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching is Darryl Gless, Roy C. Moose Distinguished Professor, English and comparative literature. 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.

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More online…

• Carolina Honors 24 With Teaching Awards
  February 2012 news report

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