Since 1974, the President’s Award for Teaching has recognized 125 IU educators for outstanding teaching, research or service throughout IU’s campuses statewide. As an award for distinguished teaching, it honors top faculty, their commitment to students’ education and their devotion to the university’s fundamental mission of educational and research excellence.
When it comes to helping create a culture of “building and making” throughout Indiana — a stated goal of IU’s Strategic Bicentennial Plan — such educators play a direct role in planting the seeds of innovation among the next generation of Hoosiers.
These are some of IU’s finest faculty members, whose efforts every day in the classroom, laboratory and studio transform the lives of students, preparing them for successful careers after graduation.”
— IU President Michael A. McRobbie
Earlier this month, the award’s four latest winners were honored at a dinner at the Indiana Memorial Union as part of IU’s Founders Day, with three winners hailing from IU regional campuses. They included:
- Diane M. Larson, a senior lecturer in computer information systems at IU Northwest;
- Mark W. Bradford, an adjunct lecturer in business management at IU South Bend;
- Gary M. Kern, an associate professor and chair of decision sciences at IU South Bend;
- Tim Hallett, an associate professor of sociology at IU Bloomington.
During those same ceremonies, the IU School of Medicine’s Dr. Bruce Molitoris — a world-reknowned nephrologist whose research may improve the treatment of bacterial infections and genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy — was named a distinguished professor. It is the most prestigious academic appointment IU can bestow upon its faculty. Four IU Bloomington faculty members also received such honors:
- Katy Börner, a visualization researcher from the School of Informatics and Computing;
- Roger P. Hangarter, a molecular plant biologist from the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences;
- Stanley Ritchie, a professor of violin and early music in the Jacobs School of Music;
- Eliot R. Smith, a researcher of cognition and emotions from the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Additional award winners included:
- Rachel La Touche, a doctoral candidate in sociology at IU Bloomington, who received the Lieber Memorial Teaching Associate Award for outstanding teaching.
- Patricia McDougall-Covin, the William L. Haeberle Professor of Entrepreneurship and director of the Institute for International Business in the IU Kelley School of Business, who received the John W. Ryan Award for Distinguished Contributions to International Programs and Studies.