By Daniel Perez
The University of Texas System Board of Regents presented eight UTEP faculty members with the Outstanding Teaching Award for excellence in the classroom during an Aug. 21 ceremony at UT Austin.
The 2013 recipients from The University of Texas at El Paso are Charles R. Boehmer, Ph.D., associate professor of political science; Ann Gabbert, Ph.D., associate director for student support and lecturer in the Entering Student Program; Gaspare M. Genna, Ph.D., associate professor of political science; John Hadjimarcou, Ph.D., professor and chair of marketing and management; Dave McIntyre, senior lecturer of art; James M. Salvador, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry; Cigdem V. Sirin, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science; and Ron Wagler, Ph.D., assistant professor of teacher education.
The UTEP educators were among 63 faculty from throughout the system’s nine academic institutions to be recognized with the Regents’ highest accolade, which is among the most competitive nationwide and one of the nation’s largest monetary teaching recognition programs in higher education. Faculty members are judged on such classroom criteria as curricula quality, student performance, subject expertise and innovative course development. Each winner received a medallion, commemorative certificate and an unrestricted $25,000 check.
The recipients were grateful for the professional acknowledgement. Many said they were humbled by the recognition and shared the credit with their University colleagues and talented graduate and undergraduate students who have helped them through their years of service.
“We happily celebrate the selection of these eight UTEP faculty members who join the proud ranks of previous Outstanding Teaching Award winners on our campus,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “This recognition by the UT System Board of Regents is a testament to the remarkable work that is being done by our dedicated faculty members, who so positively impact the lives of our students and the surrounding region. We thank the Regents for creating this prestigious award that honors teaching excellence, and we congratulate this year’s winners on this well-deserved recognition of their success.”
The Regents created the awards in November 2008 to recognize extraordinary performance in the lab, the classroom or online, and innovation in undergraduate instruction. They made a similar presentation to 39 recipients from the system’s six health institutions in July. The Board has given $12 million since the first award presentation in 2009.
The eight 2013 recipients bring the total number of the University’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award winners to 43.