Teaching Excellence in the Spotlight

Two Penn Arts and Sciences faculty were recognized this year with the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, the University’s highest teaching honor. The recipients were Robert Ghrist, Andrea Mitchell University Professor in the Departments of Mathematics and Electrical and Systems Engineering, and Masao Sako, Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy.

In addition, Robert DeRubeis, Samuel H. Preston Term Professor in the Social Sciences in the Department of Psychology, was honored with the Provost’s Award for Distinguished Ph.D. Teaching and Mentoring; and Melissa Hunt, Associate Director of Clinical Training in Psychology, won the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence by Non-Standing Faculty.Mark Devlin, Reese W. Flower Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics in Physics and Astronomy, and Ayelet Ruscio, Associate Professor of Psychology, received the Ira H. Abrams Memorial Award for Distinguished Teaching, the highest teaching honor awarded by Penn Arts and Sciences.

Other School honorees included Jeffery Saven, Professor of Chemistry, who won the Dean’s Award for Innovation in Teaching; Geoffrey Goodwin, Assistant Professor of Psychology, who won the Dean’s Award for Mentorship of Undergraduate Research; Emily Steinlight, Stephen M. Gorn Family Assistant Professor of English, who won the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by an Assistant Professor; and Cynthia Damon, Professor of Classical Studies, who won the College of Liberal and Professional Studies Distinguished Teaching Award for Standing Faculty.

Anthony Espòsito, Undergraduate Chair of Hispanic Studies in the Department of Romance Languages, won the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by Affiliated Faculty; and Nedra Lexow, Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Biological Basis of Behavior Program, won the College of Liberal and Professional Studies Distinguished Teaching Award for Affiliated Faculty.