Nine U. profs are awarded Lindbacks

Nine University professors have been recognized with this year's Lindback Awards for excellence in teaching. Every year, the Lindback Foundation, an independent organization which provides these awards nationwide, presents Lindbacks to University professors with exceptional teaching ability. Winners are chosen by the faculty and students of their respective schools, and will receive a $1,000 prize. Lindback recipients were History Professor Richard Dunn, Associate Religious Studies Professor Steve Dunning, Sociology Professor Harold Bershady and Assistant Chemical Engineering Professor Kyle Vanderlick in the non-health schools and Pharmacology Professor Elliot Hersh, Nursing Professor Fay Whitney, Assistant Pediatrics Professor Donald Schwarz and Associate Obstretics and Gynecology Professor Steven Sondheimer in the health schools. And Japanese Studies Lecturer Cecilia Seigle received a Provost's Award, which is awarded to non-tenure track professors. Assistant to the Vice Provost Terry Conn said she looked for candidates who are "good mentors and educators who carry their responsibilities far outside the classroom" and have had a "lasting impact from students." Many of the award recipients spoke modestly of their honors yesterday, praising the University instead. "It's nice to be recognized for the thing you like to best," said Whitney, one of the four winners from the health schools. "This is an exciting place to teach because the students are eager to learn and [are] bright, your colleagues are willing to share and there are a number of collaborative courses between schools which are a great deal of fun." Schwarz, another winner from the health schools, echoed Whitney's sentiments. "It's a wonderful honor to teach at the University," Schwarz said. "It makes one feel very humble." And Bershady, one of five winners from the non-health schools, lauded the University. "Penn is a great research university and it is also a great teaching university," he said. Others said they appreciate the existence of the Lindback Awards to better the level of teaching throughout the country. "The fact that there are teaching awards is a recognition of our responsibility to our students which I hope continues to grow on this campus as well as in the nation," Bershady said. The winners will officially receive their Lindbacks at a Provost's Lindback party at Rare Books in Van Pelt library this Thursday at 4:30 p.m.