Three professors and three teaching assistants received Excellence in Teaching Awards from the Engineering Council (E-Council) on behalf of their spring 2000 classes.

"When we reflect on our education at Princeton University, these faces will flash through our minds," said Michael Cohen '01, vice president of the E-Council, at November's ceremony. "The most helpful, dedicated, and enjoyable teachers are being recognized with this award."

Many dignitaries from Princeton University were in attendance, including Dean of the Graduate School John Wilson, Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel, and Dean of the Faculty Joseph Taylor.

"This event delights me," Dean Wilson said. "It's an example of how undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty work together here in the engineering school and at Princeton University."

The professors who received E-Council Teaching Awards are:

Jennifer Johnson, lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, for her work in MAT 202: Linear Algebra With Applications. Students said Dr. Johnson taught "a math class that is actually directly useful to engineers."

Zhigang Suo, professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, for his work in MAE 435: Special Topics in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Students praised Professor Suo for welcoming their input and rewarding them for trying harder. One student wrote, "I wish he could be cloned so he could teach all my courses."

David Wilkinson, the Cyrus Fogg Brackett Professor of Physics, for his work in PHY 108: General Physics. One student wrote that Professor Wilkinson is "the best teacher I have had in my entire academic career."

The teaching assistants who received E-Council Teaching Awards are:

Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, graduate student in the Department of Chemical Engineering, was recognized for his efforts in CHE 441: Chemical Reaction Engineering. One student said that Krishnan is "hands down the best TA I have ever had. If you don't give him a teaching award, you should be put on trial for theft."

Chemical engineering graduate student Max Shtein was honored for his efforts in CHE 346: Chemical Engineering Laboratory I. Students said Max "not only could teach, but he helped us grow and understand."

Chris Yang, graduate student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was feted for his efforts in MAE 206: Introduction to Engineering Dynamics. Students called Chris "the best TA in the engineering school."

Pictured below, from left, are Jennifer Johnson, recipient of an E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; Charles Fefferman, chairman, Department of Mathematics; James Wei, dean of the SEAS; Zhigang Suo, recipient of his second E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; Chris Yang, recipient of an E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; Joseph Taylor, Dean of the Faculty; Max Shtein, recipient of an E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; David Wilkinson, recipient of an E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, recipient of an E-Council Excellence in Teaching Award; John Wilson, Dean of the Graduate School; and Nancy Malkiel, Dean of the College.

 

Photo by Frank Wojciechowski