World Teachers' Day 2024
On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the passionate educators who shape minds and inspire growth across the College of Liberal Arts. Thank you for all that you do.
You push us to do our best—and support us along the way
“I had decided to stop taking Spanish classes as the grammar had become complicated. This was a big decision as Spanish was one of my two majors. [Professor Rodriguez] met with me and told me she would tutor me to get through this. She met with me each Wednesday until the end of the quarter. She was so generous and supportive. I’ve never forgotten her. I graduated with degrees in both majors.”
Susan (McDonald) Gonzalez, class of 1977, to Ileana Rodriguez, Spanish & Portuguese studies
“This always gracious, reserved, yet demanding teacher opened horizons for so many. And we worked to give him all the best we had. He took the time to get to know his brass students, and to give them quiet guidance. But he never compromised on the requirement to reach all we could musically. He is also the reason I worked to achieve a spot in the Empire Brass Seminar.”
Patrick Frith on David Baldwin, music
"It’s been four years since I completed the degree in Classics here at the U. Even though I’m now pursuing an advanced degree in a different field, my undergraduate years under your guidance in Classics have left a lasting impact. Many thanks are owed to you for all the support you provided to us, your students. There is no doubt about the effort you put into creating an environment that encouraged us to read widely, think from different perspectives, and not to shut our minds from new ideas and information."
Wenjun Tong, Class of 2020, to Spencer Cole, classical & Near Eastern religions & cultures
“Carol Klee of the Spanish department was an absolute angel during my last year! She was not only a great teacher, but an incredible source of encouragement for my stressful final year. Many thanks, Profe!”
Ben Meranda to Carol Klee, Spanish & Portuguese studies
You meet us where we're at
“I learned a lot of valuable lessons from you. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and friendship. I appreciate them very much.”
Joan (Porter) Einsman, class of 1987, to David Feinberg, art
"What brought you to the University of Minnesota? The excellent faculty! There is a wide variety of professors both in and out of my primary department that do engaging research and teach excellent courses. I have had opportunities to work on summer research projects with faculty that have led to publications and conference presentations. I have found great mentors in the faculty in my department who support me as a person and researcher and I am so glad it's where I ended up."
Caitin Baulch, current graduate student, writing studies
"I took ENGL 3505: Protest Literature and Community Action taught by Eric Daigre my junior year, and that had a huge impact on my studies and day-to-day life throughout that semester. Eric Daigre is an amazing professor and makes sure his students feel as comfortable as possible with the course materials, the structure of the curriculum, and facilitation. He cares about every word of our feedback—not just at the end of the semester but throughout every week."
Sarah Horner, class of 2024, on Eric Daigre, English
You inspire the next generation of educators
“Thank you for inspiring me to a career as a professor, in general, and as an economic historian, in particular. I use what you taught me almost daily, and will always appreciate your mentoring.”
Louis Johnson, class of 1983 to George D. Green, history
"Teaching has shown me all the ways people can act authentically when demands are put on them, and all the ways people demonstrate care for themselves, their work, and others around them—this applies to myself, my instructor peers, and my/our students. I’ve learned that accessibility and inclusivity are rhetorical concepts, sure, but they (and their opposites) are also lived experiences; as an instructor, it is my job to concretely and explicitly define these concepts in my classroom and use the definitions as guiding principles when I create materials, assignments, activities, and interact with my students. In my classroom, I am a leader, and I want to set an example of someone who takes accountability for their in/accessible and un/inclusive actions with enthusiasm. Something about teaching that fills my cup is hearing students laugh—a few scattered chuckles and eye rolls, peals of laughter from one group, or smiles at an inside joke during a 1:1 conference—I cherish them all."
Maddie Melchert, current graduate student, writing studies
One of my favorite parts of being a teacher is connecting with my students each semester! It is invaluable to hear your students tell you that the examples and case studies that you teach in the classroom have helped open their eyes to a new corner of the world, brought to light issues in the current culture, or have helped them become more confident and comfortable being part of private and public discussions. To know that I am helping my students become more engaged members of society and critical thinkers is the best part of my job!
Kristen Einertson, current graduate student, communication studies
Meet our award-winning instructors
We celebrate the 2024 recipients of these teaching honors from the University and CLA.
Distinguished Teachers Morse-Alumni Award
Each year since 1965-66, the University of Minnesota has recognized a select group of faculty members for their outstanding contributions to undergraduate education.
Learn more about the Distinguished Teachers Morse-Alumni Award
Siobhan Craig is a comparative scholar working with film and cultural/literary theory. She focuses on international fascism and colonialism and its afterlives, working in English, Italian, French, and German. She won two departmental teaching awards, pursuing an engaged, dynamic, and inclusive pedagogy in many undergraduate courses in different formats, and is a caring and generative advisor. She is strongly committed to diversity and equity, evident in her contributions to curricular and program development.
Jerry Luckhardt has mentored thousands of students from every college during his tenure at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Numerous former students have aspired to extraordinary careers thanks to the opportunities afforded them under his tutelage. Luckhardt continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership and dedication toward his students. A highly respected musician and conductor nationally and internationally, he has been instrumental in transforming the University of Minnesota Bands program.
Elliott Powell is an award-winning scholar of race, sexuality, and popular music. His interdisciplinary approach to teaching seeks to illustrate how multiple and heterogenous lenses can produce new ways of grappling with the complexity of American culture and, as a result, help students better understand their everyday lives. His hope is that interdisciplinarity will help students reach the transformative intellectual breakthroughs that Black civil rights activist and educator Septima Clark famously called “wonderful thinking.”
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Each year the College of Liberal Arts recognizes select instructors who are outstanding teachers of undergraduate students, rewarding their passion and commitment to teaching.
Learn more about the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Hailed as the “gold standard” of the economics department, Dr. Fahima Aziz is well known for her exceptional commitment to her students and devotion to teaching.
"My overarching teaching goal is that students will leave my courses with a greater understanding and appreciation of economics in the world around them."
Fahima Aziz
Read "Fahima Aziz Wins the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award"
Dr. Katrien Vanpee of the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies is recognized for her dedication as director and instructor in the Arabic language program.
“Teaching is a people-first profession. The fact that our students, as adults, bring their full complexity to the table, enables us, as instructors, to learn and grow a great deal as well. This is an important part of what keeps this profession inspiring and exciting to me.”
Katrien Vanpee
Read "Katrien Vanpee Receives 2024 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award"
Arthur "Red" and Helene B. Motley Exemplary Teaching Award
Each year since 1994, the College of Liberal Arts has recognized a select group of faculty who are outstanding teachers of graduate and undergraduate students. The award is named in honor of Arthur “Red” Motley, who was an alumnus of the University, a charter member of the University of Minnesota Foundation and a recipient of the University’s highest honor, the Regents Award. In keeping with the qualities embodied by Red Motley, this award is designed to reward top educators who demonstrate their passion and commitment to teaching and is made possible through a gift from the family and friends of Red Motley and alumni of the college.
Learn more about the Motley Exemplary Teaching Award
Kathleen Collins (political science)
Jessica Lopez Lyman (Chicano & Latino studies)
Nominate a CLA instructor for a teaching award
Would you like to recognize a CLA instructor who made a difference in your life?
We are accepting nominations for our exemplary teaching awards. These awards recognize instructors who exemplify the highest standards of teaching and scholarship and who have enhanced the lives of University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Liberal Arts students. To be considered for one of these awards, faculty and instructors must be nominated by five current and/or former students.
Nomination deadline: November 8