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Five win awards at spring faculty senate

Posted 4/17/2009

Five professors were honored April 17 at the Student Life Center during spring faculty assembly for their skill and success as teachers. The honorees are:

The Madison Sarratt Prize for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Tiffany Tung, assistant professor of anthropology

The recipient of this award receives a cash prize of $2,500 and an engraved pewter julep cup, and as students’ ratings are a major influencing factor in the selection process, the recipient of the Sarratt Prize also receives affirmation from the heart and soul of this university – the student community.

Since Tung’s arrival to Vanderbilt in 2004, her commitment to excellence in teaching has captured the attention and respect of students. Their rankings of her overall performance as an instructor are perfect or nearly perfect. Outside of class, she mentors both undergraduate and graduate research students, and each summer, takes a group of students to Peru to work on an archeological site.

The Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor Award for distinguished accomplishments at furthering the aims of Vanderbilt University
Ronald D. Schrimpf, professor of electrical engineering and professor of computer engineering

The winner receives a cash award of $2,500, an engraved silver tray, and official designation as the Harvie Branscomb Distinguished Professor for one year.

Schrimpf’s passion for teaching was recognized in 2008 with a School of Engineering teaching award, and his legacy of mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students over the years exemplifies his generosity and his generous investment in human potential.

Last fall, Schrimpf was appointed head of Memorial House at The Commons. His commitment to freshmen students in this unique community; his consistent top 10 percent ratings among faculty in his department as evaluated by students; and his remarkable research achievements are but a few of the many reasons that he is deserving of this award.

The Ellen Gregg Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science

The recipient receives a cash prize of $2,500 and an engraved pewter cup.  With the recent election year, John’s political analyses were solicited and quoted in media sources throughout the nation. Students are keenly aware of his national stature and are impressed and grateful that someone of this authority teaches first-year students.

Always willing to go beyond what is required, Geer often teaches an overload and took on the role as interim chair of the department this year. In a truly interdisciplinary manner, he has collaborated with professors like David Bader in the Medical School to illustrate the link between genetics and political attitudes by offering the newly created Genetics and Politics course.

The Alexander Heard Distinguished Service Professor Award for a scholar whose work has and will continue to have wide influence in the solution of contemporary social problems
C. Neal Tate, professor and chair of political science, and professor of law

The recipient carries the title Alexander Heard Distinguished Service Professor for one year and receives a $2,500 cash award and an engraved silver tray. 

The focus of Tate’s scholarship is on international human rights and the workings of judicial institutions around the world. He has painstakingly produced a detailed database containing information about how judicial courts and systems work in nations around the globe that has become a valuable resource for other scholars. His research also illustrated the oppressive effects on a society when human rights are denied, and substantiated that international agreements actually do advance the cause of human rights. Tate's career is an example of someone who has sought to understand and solve social problems that strike at the very heart of the human condition

The Joe B. Wyatt Distinguished University Professor Award to honor faculty whose contributions span multiple academic disciplines
Dana Nelson, the Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English

The recipient carries the title Joe B. Wyatt Distinguished University Professor for one year and receives a $2500 cash award as well as an engraved silver tray. 

Nelson is a respected scholar of American politics and democracy.  Her focus on contemporary social problems in this country and the role that ordinary citizens can, and should, play in those problems has led her to call for a new sense of civic responsibility, a true “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

In her American Studies seminars, Dana teaches her students democracy in action and inspires them to become more proactive citizens.  Last year, her creative teaching methods combining classroom learning with student involvement in a community service project garnered national publicity.

Contact: Jim Patterson (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu

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