The recipients of the 2020 Goergen Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching come from across the globe: Moscow, Russia; Venice, Italy; and Brooklyn, New York.
But they share a bond that extends beyond their talents as teachers and long commitment to the University of Rochester.
“This year’s Goergen awardees all demonstrate that special ability to engage and educate students in unique ways that enable learning inside and outside the classic classroom,” says Jeffrey Runner, dean of the College.
Established in 1997 by University Trustee and Board Chair Emeritus Robert Goergen ’60 and his wife, Pamela, the award recognizes distinctive teaching accomplishments of faculty in Arts, Sciences & Engineering.
This year’s recipients are:
- Tanya Bakhmetyeva, associate professor of instruction in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies at the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies;
- Rudi Fasan, a professor in the Department of Chemistry and the Andrew S. Kende Endowed Chair in Synthetic Organic Chemistry;
- Scott Seidman, a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
The three will be recognized in a virtual ceremony (invitation only) on Friday, October 23. University President Sarah Mangelsdorf will take part in the ceremony.
Nominations for the Goergen Awards come from students, faculty, staff members, and administrators. The winners are chosen by Runner; Gloria Culver, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences; and Wendi Heinzelman, dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.
Read about this year’s recipients
Tanya Bakhmetyeva ’06 (PhD) is a teacher and teammate in the classroom The associate professor of gender, sexuality, and women’s studies believes in empowering students through experiential learning.
Rudi Fasan is a chemistry professor with all the elements of successFasan sees his role as transferring knowledge, but also instilling a passion for chemistry in his students. “It’s extremely rewarding to help them discover an interest for a particular area that may lead to a future career,” he says.
Scott Seidman’s ‘particular set of skills’ helped faculty through challenges of distance learningThe biomedical engineering professor, who is being recognized for teaching excellence, says a large part of his teaching philosophy is giving students freedom with responsibility.
