|
|
|
Oct. 5, 2004 Bender, Amsterdam Awards Announced
There were six Bender Awards: Zulima Alvarez, adjunct assistant professor of Spanish, in addition to her direct teaching responsibilities, also has contributed to the strength of the department’s teaching by assisting in writing new course materials, evaluating placement examinations, and orienting and guiding new instructors. Lehman said that together with Alberto Moron-Pastor, instructor in Spanish, Alvarez has been writing a manuscript for a Spanish 9 reading-based textbook. Students say she shows “an infectious enthusiasm.” Masha Belensky, a tenure-track professor in Romance Languages and Literatures, has published articles on Zola, Balzac and Rachilde. Her research and teaching interests include 19th-century literature and culture, the novel and narrative theory, aesthetics, autobiography and 19th-century histoire des mentalités. A colleague noted her “ability to motivate coupled with a keen sense of humor.” Eric Cline, chair of the Department of Classical and Semitic Languages and Literatures. Cline studies the military history of the Mediterranean world from antiquity to the present and the international connections between Greece, Egypt and the Near East in the Late Bronze Age. Lehman pointed out that Cline is an experienced field archeologist with 18 seasons of excavation and survey behind him. At the site of Armageddon in Israel, where Cline is a senior staff archeologist and director of GW’s Archeological Field School, he has conducted five archeological research seasons. His most recent book, Jerusalem Besieged: From Ancient Canaan to Modern Israel, will be published this month. Students call studying with Cline “an exemplary learning experience.” Ivy Kennelly, assistant professor of sociology, studies the theoretical interdependencies of race, gender and class as systems of inequality and oppression. She has gathered empirical evidence from her studies of paid labor markets and has specifically focused on gender-segregated occupations. Since coming to the University in 2001, Kennelly has taught 12 different courses and requires a great deal of writing in her courses. Lehman remarked that comments from both colleagues and students show her to be a knowledgeable, caring and engaged teacher. Mark Reeves, associate professor of physics, pursues research involving the measurement and understanding of the physical properties of superconductors. His teaching interests include developing new ways to present physics concepts that are new to students in a more accessible way. Lehman said that among qualities colleagues praise in Reeves are “gentle persuasion, genuine humor, human concern and support, honest civility, and unwavering optimism.” Robert Savickas, assistant professor of finance, has research interests that include investments, derivatives, mathematical finance, asset pricing, market microstructure, econometrics, numerical optimization and artificial intelligence. Colleagues speak highly of his ability to engage his students and note his active use of technology in his teaching. Students remark on his intensity and passion, Lehman stated. The inaugural Philip Amsterdam Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards for Outstanding Teaching, established through the generosity of GW Board of Trustees member Philip Amsterdam, went to three recipients. Each award carries a prize of $2,500. “The GTA awards make a tremendous contribution, not only to the achievement of their faculty mentors’ instructional goals but to the education and personal growth of GW’s students,” commented Lehman. The award criteria includes enthusiasm, effectiveness and innovation in the teaching/learning process; the ability to engage and inspire students; high standards of professionalism and collegiality; and commitment to the educational enterprise of the University. As Amsterdam was unable to attend the Faculty Assembly, the awards were presented by Lehman with assistance from Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies Carol Sigelman. Awardee Kristin Mayer has already graduated and is completing a mandatory job training program in North Carolina. Working in the forensic sciences program, she established new programs for ensuring laboratory safety and chemical hygiene. Andrew Thaeler, a GTA in computer science, developed helpful PowerPoints and exercises to help his students learn. Timothy Nixon, after serving as a tutor in the University Writing Center, designed and taught what were called “creative and engaging” sections of freshman English, including one on shipwrecks and shark attacks.
|
|
|
