{"id":79641,"date":"2024-05-15T12:52:06","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T16:52:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/?p=79641"},"modified":"2024-10-25T14:10:55","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T18:10:55","slug":"2024-arts-sciences-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cas\/2024-arts-sciences-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Arts & Sciences Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

We are pleased to announce the many awards and prizes that faculty, staff, and students in the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences have received this year.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

These awards acknowledge and celebrate the tremendous work and achievements that all of you have contributed this year.<\/p>\n

2024 Boston University Awards<\/h4>\n

These awards acknowledge and celebrate the work and achievements of our faculty and staff at the University level.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

2024 Metcalf Cup and Prize for Excellence in Teaching<\/h6>
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President Ad Interim Kenneth W. Freeman <\/span>announced Yuri Corigan, associate professor of Russian and comparative literature, as the 2024 recipient of the University\u2019s highest teaching honor, the Metcalf Cup and Prize for Excellence in Teaching, during the annual Senior Breakfast.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a>
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2024 Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching<\/h6>
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President Ad Interim Kenneth W. Freeman named Alexis Perri, associate professor of history, as a recipient of one of the University\u2019s highest teaching honors, the Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching, during the annual Senior Breakfast.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a>
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2024 Provost's Teacher-Scholar of the Year<\/h6>
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\"\"Fallou Ngom, professor of anthropology, was named the recipient of one of the University\u2019s teaching honors, the Provost’s Teacher-Scholar of the Year.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

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2024 John S. Perkins Award<\/h6>
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\"\"Daniel Ivey, program administrator for the CAS Writing Program, was named a recipient of the University\u2019s John S. Perkins Award.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

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2024 Undergraduate Academic Advising Award<\/h6>
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\"\"Merav Shohet, associate professor of anthropology, was named a recipient of the 2024 Undergraduate Academic Advising Award.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

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2024 CAS Faculty Teaching and Advising Awards<\/h4>\n

The Dean\u2019s Office announced the annual awards honoring faculty and staff members\u2019 contributions to the College of Arts & Sciences.<\/p>\n

The following awards are for distinctive excellence, including but not limited to outstanding success in the classroom. They recognize and reward teaching in its broadest sense and in all of its aspects, from curriculum development and innovative pedagogies, to mentoring of individual students as scholars and\/or teachers.<\/p>\n

2024 Gitner Award for Distinguished Teaching<\/h6>
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Leah Kronenberg, Associate Professor of Classical Studies<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"Leah Kronenberg\u2019s colleagues describe her as \u201cone of the most skilled and beloved teachers\u201d in the department of Classical Studies. The Gitner Award recognizes professors who exemplify deep and broad skill, effectiveness, impact, and leadership in teaching. Professor Kronenberg embodies these values through her transformative teaching and advising in Classics.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kronenberg\u2019s Latin literature courses are popular with all levels of learners. This is in large part due to Kronenberg\u2019s engaging pedagogy. Instead of enforcing the old-school \u201cGrammar-Translation Method,\u201d Kronenberg empowers her students to engage with Latin literature as living texts. Students praise her intelligence, passion, and kindness in their evaluations. One intermediate Latin learner wrote: “Professor Kronenberg is incredibly approachable and teaches with kindness and understanding. She is flexible but still holds her students to a high yet reasonable standard. She doesn\u2019t shame students for asking questions, even if they\u2019re about basic Latin grammar.\u201d An advanced seminar student echoed this sentiment: \u201cProf. Kronenberg is a genuinely kind professor who wants to help her students. She cares deeply for not only the subject but also her students.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kronenberg has been instrumental in overhauling the Classical Studies curriculum in recent years, opening the department to diverse voices and modern perspectives. For example, her course \u201cSexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome\u201d explores both ancient and modern theories of sexuality and the intersection of sexuality, gender, politics, and social norms. Her course \u201cSulpicia and her Circle\u201d is similarly intellectually ambitious. This 300-level course is usually the first advanced Latin class students encounter, and professors usually follow the well-beaten path of Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero. Instead, Kronenberg chose to explore the <\/span>Corpus Tibullianum<\/span><\/i>,<\/span><\/i> which includes six poems by the mysterious female poet Sulpicia\u2014the only complete works written by a woman that have survived from the classical period of Latin literature. In this course, students delve into questions of context, authorship, gender, power, language, identity, and representation. Through her deep care for her subject and her students, Kronenberg has harnessed the inherently interdisciplinary nature of Classical Studies, introducing learners to worlds they never knew existed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2024 Neu Family Award for Excellence in Teaching<\/h6>
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Alison Carberry, Master Lecturer of Spanish<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Alison Carberry\u2019s teaching responsibilities include various Spanish courses, a methodology course for graduate student teaching fellows in Romance Studies, and a Renaissance course in the Core Curriculum. Within Romance Studies, Carberry has revamped 100- and 200-level Spanish classes to be more communicative, identity-conscious and student-centered, increasing program retention and serving as a model for communication-based classes throughout the College. Her students praise her for her dynamic classes in which everyone\u2019s voice is valued.<\/span> One student writes: \u201cProfessor Carberry is truly one of the best professors I’ve ever had. I cannot think of any other class where every student regularly and voluntarily participates, but Professor Carberry’s infectious enthusiasm for the texts and their broader historical context not only helped us comprehensively understand course material but encouraged us to share our perspectives.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another student shares: \u201c<\/span>Prof. Alison is one of the most compassionate teachers I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from\u2026 I am not afraid to take risks on utilizing new language concepts in her class because she is encouraging, constructive, and never punishes us for making genuine mistakes as beginners.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Colleagues from a range of departments and offices, including Romance Studies, World Languages and Literature, Core Curriculum, the Writing Program, the Shipley Center, and the Center for Teaching & Learning cite\u00a0 Carberry as a forward-thinking and inclusive educator. In addition to creating comprehensive virtual lessons and bringing new technology into the language classroom, Carberry has served as a Learn from Anywhere faculty coach and she currently serves as a mentor with the Center for Teaching & Learning as part of their Peer-to-Peer Pedagogical Partner program. A junior faculty member described her mentorship as \u201ceye-opening\u201d and \u201cempowering.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>The Neu Family Award recognizes faculty who exemplify deep and broad skill, effectiveness, impact, and leadership in teaching. Carberry embodies these values through her innovative and inclusive teaching and advising, both within the Department of Romance Studies and across the University.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2024 Frank and Lynne Wisneski Award for Excellence in Teaching<\/h6>
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Alexis Courtney, Lecturer of Chemistry<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Alexis Courtney is a highly sought after Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. She started at Boston University in Fall 2020, and her first year was entirely remote. During her first semester, she taught CH 203, an organic chemistry class with 250 undergraduates, most of whom were not chemistry majors. This was already a difficult course to teach without the added barriers and trauma that the pandemic brought. However,\u00a0Courtney took these unprecedented challenges in stride, and the student evaluations scored her teaching as a remarkable 4.8\/5 which, according to her letter of nomination, was \u201cunheard of in the chemistry department.\u201d One of her students stated: \u201cAlthough this was Dr. Courtney\u2019s first semester she taught like a seasoned veteran\u201d and \u201cThe fact that this was her first year teaching amazes me because she truly made me enjoy the class and taught us so well that we all understood the topics\/mechanisms.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to praising her instruction, students also frequently praise Courtney\u2019s kindness and care for them. One student summed up this sentiment well: \u201cI can see it in Dr. Courtney\u2019s eyes that she cares for the class.\u201d Many of\u00a0 Courtney\u2019s students remark that she is the best instructor they\u2019ve had at the University, saying \u201cDr. Courtney is the best professor I\u2019ve had in all 4 years I\u2019ve been in college\u201d and \u201cI have never had a better instructor in my life.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Courtney\u2019s innovative course design has transformed the chemistry department\u2019s organic chemistry offerings. She revamped both semesters of organic chemistry, designing new labs and increasing the number of labs from six to ten per semester. Students described the labs as \u201crelevant, manageable, and most of all fun,\u201d igniting their interest in chemistry and research. She also designed an organic chemistry class for nutrition majors, meeting the specific needs and goals of her students and connecting the topics to real world examples.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Courtney\u2019s research focuses on gamification. The week before organic chemistry exams, she hosts \u201cgame nights\u201d on Fridays and Saturdays. Students play creative games to master organic chemistry concepts. Unsurprisingly, the students who attend the game nights do better on their exams. Courtney\u2019s innovative pedagogy and deep care for he<\/span>r students has made organic chemistry, often regarded as inaccessible, relevant and engaging to students across the University. When her manuscript describing these approaches and their benefits on student learning is published in the <\/span>Journal of Chemical Education, <\/span><\/i>many more students beyond our campus will benefit from her outstanding efforts as well.<\/span>
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2024 CAS Award for Distinction in First-Year Undergraduate Education<\/h6>
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The Distinction in First Year Undergraduate Education, reflects the crucial importance of supporting our students\u2019 transitions from high school, and enabling them to lay strong academic foundations for deeply engaged learning and high achievement throughout their college careers.<\/p>\n

Salima Slimane, Lecturer in Arabic, Coordinator of the Arabic Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Salima Slimane is a Lecturer in Arabic and serves as the Arabic Program Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures. In addition, she is always looking to reach students outside of the department. She teaches French courses in Romance Studies, serves as the Arabic advisor for Global House, and leads discussions in African Studies programming. She is on the advisory board for the Islamic Society of BU. She also serves on the Working Group on Muslim and Arab Life and Addressing Islamophobia and Anti-Arab and Anti-Palestinian Harassment to maintain a communicative, safe, and inclusive campus for all members of the University amidst the Israel-Hamas war and its effects on BU\u2019s community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salima is no stranger to leading her community through transition and conflict. She has taken departmental staffing issues and health emergencies in stride with little to no disruption to student learning. Undergraduate students appreciate her personal style of teaching and mentoring. The first year of college can be a tumultuous time, but through strong support systems and effective teaching methods, Salima welcomes her students and sets them up for success. She \u201cengages with the students and is very inclusive\u201d and \u201ccreates a welcoming, open environment for students to speak and grow,\u201d according to her students.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of Salima\u2019s students wrote of her anxiety coming to BU. She was partially deaf, and she was not sure how she could communicate with her professors at such a large and academically rigorous university, much less learn a new language. Salima went above and beyond to accommodate and empower this student, from ensuring that all video material was captioned to sending voice recordings of vocabulary before every exam. The student went on to be an active member of the College community, even adding an Arabic minor.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Salima truly goes above and beyond to create inclusive communities of learning. She has included more authentic materials and social justice topics into the department\u2019s curriculum at all levels. Her presentations on inclusive language classrooms and student mental wellbeing are well received on campus and at international conferences. Salima\u2019s MA (from Boston University) is in Special Education, and she is always working to make her language courses more accessible for students facing additional challenges. Put simply, she sees students as they are, with all aspects of their identity, and welcomes them. <\/span>
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2024 Dean\u2019s Awards for Excellence in Graduate Education<\/h6>
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With the Dean\u2019s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, we recognize a member of our faculty whose commitment and contributions to graduate teaching, mentoring and\/or program development have significantly raised the quality and impact of post-baccalaureate training in their disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields.
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Kimberly Arkin, Associate Professor of Anthropology<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"Kimberly Arkin is a cultural anthropologist who teaches a variety of undergraduate courses in the Department of Anthropology and the Core Curriculum. Where she truly shines, however, is in her deep commitment to graduate-level education.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Arkin teaches several key courses in Anthropology\u2019s graduate curriculum, including AN 510, Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences, and AN 703, Anthropological Theory: History and Practice. AN 510 is a crucial course for graduate students, equipping them with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to provide clarity and structure to their projects. A f<\/span>ew faculty members teach this course, but students often wait for an opening in Arkin\u2019s class because she is known to follow and support students\u2019 research projects well beyond the end of the course. As Director of Graduate Studies, Arkin makes an effort to get to know every graduate student in the department, and students line up outside her office to speak with her. She sits on the exam committees of the majority of graduate students in Anthropology, and she currently serves on the dissertation committees of at least twelve senior PhD candidates.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her students praise her \u201cmastery of theory and methods,\u201d saying \u201cI would not be the scholar I am today if not for her guidance.\u201d She offers her students an incredible level of support: \u201cShe is never too busy to meet, to read drafts, to leave extensive comments, to write reference letters.\u201d In addition to going above and beyond as an academic mentor, students also recognize Arkin\u2019s support on a more personal level. \u201cKimberly has shown herself to be my biggest supporter and confidante,\u201d writes one of her PhD advisees. Another shares: \u201cFirst, Kimberly trusts me… Second, Kimberly comes to bat for me… Finally, Kimberly respects my projects and ideas.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In sum, Arkin\u2019s teaching and mentorship fully exemplify the values represented by the Dean\u2019s Award fo<\/span>r Excellence in Graduate Education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2024 Dean\u2019s Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching<\/h6>
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With the Dean\u2019s Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching, we honor the very important contributions of a part-time colleague to the educational mission of the College.
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Liz Stevens, Lecturer, CAS Writing Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Elizabeth Stevens is a part-time lecturer in the Writing Program. She is also an active public writer and scholar whose interdisciplinary work spans everything from market trends to Muppets. Over the last twelve years, Elizabeth has taught an incredible 45 sections of BU undergraduates in writing seminars. Semester after semester, she engages a new class of students with relevant and exciting courses. Through classes like the research course \u201cMuppets, Mickey, and Money\u201d and the seminar \u201cVideo Game Studies: Past, Present, and Future,\u201d Elizabeth encourages her students to explore topics they are passionate about while developing the writing skills they need to thrive in academic and professional settings.<\/p>\n

Student evaluations consistently highlight how welcoming and comfortable Elizabeth\u2019s classes are. Students also praise Elizabeth for her enthusiasm, understanding, and interdisciplinary approach. As one student commented, \u201cProfessor Stevens brings us to the academic research field of video games. She allows us to analyze video games from multiple perspectives: business, game theory, scientific research, and psychology. She stimulates our interest well and teaches us how to write scientific papers on the topics we want to explore.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a baseline, all courses in the Writing Program aim to teach students transferrable writing skills. Elizabeth is exceptional because she imbues her courses with energy, curiosity, and a keen sense of humor, opening doors to art, literature, economics, coding, and other broad topics that are relevant to her students\u2019 needs and interests. She then equips students with the tools they need to dig and build and explore the world around them.<\/p>\n

Part-time lecturers are not required to perform service. However, Elizabeth has served the Writing Program at every level, becoming a pillar of the program\u2019s community over the years. She has served on the editorial board of the program\u2019s journal of student writing, the juror\u2019s panel for the Alumni Writing Awards, the Graduate Writing Fellow search committee, and the part-time lecturer bargaining committee. She has also participated actively in program assessments, shaping the curriculum of the entire Writing Program. Elizabeth\u2019s deep care for her students and her subject go far beyond the job description of a part-time employee, and she is highly deserving of this award.<\/p>\n

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2024 Templeton Awards for Excellence in Student Advising<\/h6>
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The Templeton Awards showcase CAS advising at its best. Steve Jarvi\u2019s annual call for nominations from graduating seniors helps identify what students need, what they value, and how skilled and dedicated faculty advisors have made a positive difference in their lives. Recognizing that effective \u201cadvising\u201d is not limited to just the formal role of an academic advisor, the College emphasized the value of mentorship when soliciting nominations for the advising awards from the class of 2023.
\nKyle Gobrogge, Lecturer, Undergraduate program in Neuroscience<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"A common theme among Kyle\u2019s nominators was his concern for their well-being beyond the classroom<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>One nominator commented that, \u201cInitially, I experienced anxiety about starting late, as my <\/span>freshman<\/span> year was online in China. I worried about not having enough time to gain experience and feeling less competitive compared to my peers. However, Dr. G genuinely cared for students’ mental health and valued my feelings. He provided me with valuable information about various research opportunities, including UROP. Taking the time to understand my interests and goals.\u201d\u00a0 Another student added that, \u201cDr. G has been a huge help to me in navigating the chaotic pre-health world. He never says no to writing a recommendation letter for anything that I need. He always listens intently and provides detailed and helpful feedback whenever needed… Most importantly, he makes sure he is inclusive of everyone and always wants to make sure students are engaged and involved in their own learning.\u201d\u00a0 And I think you all would all agree that there\u2019s no better feeling than inspiring students to follow in your footsteps and that was certainly the case for this student who commented that, \u201cDr. G. has inspired me to begin my own teaching career and I sincerely hope to make him proud one day and become an educator as impactful and kind as him.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Margarita Guillory, Associate Professor of Religion and African American & Black Diaspora Studies<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"A common theme among Templeton award winners, both this year and in previous years, is their ability to inspire students<\/span>,<\/span> and that is certainly the case with Margarita.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> One of her nominators stated simply that, \u201cProfessor Guillory<\/span> has truly been a light in my life on campus.\u201d\u00a0 An inspired first-generation student commented that, \u201cShe genuinely cares about those she teaches and is one of the most engaging professors I\u2019ve had the privilege of learning from. She pushed forward and advocated for the classes I\u2019ve taken to be used towards both my major and minor, allowing me to complete the requirements of both programs on time. Boston has been a very new and different place for a person with my identities, but somehow Professor Guillory never fails to make me feel right at home. She is a perfect model of what it means to be a wholesome person, outstanding professor, and an amazing advisor<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diane Mello-Goldner, Senior Lecturer, Psychological & Brain Sciences<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Another common them<\/span>e<\/span> among current and past award winners is their willingness to work with any and all students.<\/span>\u00a0 Often, as is the case with Diane, that means working with students who are not assigned advisees<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>One of Diane\u2019s nominators noted just that when she <\/span>stated<\/span> that, \u201cWhile she is not my assigned advisor, Dr. Mello-Gardner has been a wonderful mentor to me…She was always available to answer any questions and help guide me through the process of statistical analysis. She even took the time to print and <\/span>submit<\/span> our research posters to the New England Psychological Association, earning everyone in the class a research presentation to add to our resumes.\u201d\u00a0 Continuing that theme another nominator commented that, \u201cWhile Dr. Diane Mello-Goldner is not my advisor, there is no one else I believe deserves this award more than her. She was pivotal in my personal and professional development at Boston University.\u201d\u00a0 Finally, another nominator who is not one of Diane\u2019s official advisees offered that she connected with her because, \u201cI heard from her <\/span>advisees<\/span> that she was a phenomenal advisor and meets with her students individually to discuss course selection<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>In my experience she embodies the qualities of an exemplary advisor, <\/span>demonstrating<\/span> unwavering dedication, and empathy in guiding students towards their academic and professional goals.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>
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2024 Outstanding Service Award for Staff<\/h4>\n

The Outstanding Service Award for Staff recognizes staff members in our community who are dedicated to serving their department and the college as a whole\u2014 strengthening the Arts & Sciences community and creating an impact on the college.<\/p>\n

2024 Outstanding Service Awards for CAS Staff<\/h6>
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Todd Blute, Imaging Labratory Manager, Biology<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"Todd directs the Imaging Core and Proteomics Core Facilities in the Department of Biology. He oversees and trains faculty, students, and staff from his own department, as well as from Psychological & Brain Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, in complex imaging processes. One nominator wrote: \u201c<\/span>Todd is unusually plugged into the community. He is not just a regular but a stalwart at departmental seminars and student presentations where he contributes thoughtful questions and scientific input. I can\u2019t think of a student thesis presentation or work-in-progress seminar where he isn\u2019t acknowledged in the final slide. When I first arrived at BU and noticed this happening, I assumed that it was a polite gesture, but it quickly became clear that it reflected a real contribution. In most of these cases, Todd had made a genuine contribution to moving their individual science forward in some meaningful way.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another nominator added: \u201cTodd has been an invaluable resource to the [biology] department… His skills and experience are critical to the success of our new faculty in their research projects… He has made a major impact in the Biology Department and other life science departments at BU over the past twenty-plus years. He is also dedicated to BU \u2013 he is one of our PhD alumni and a parent of two Terriers.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/b>Julia Hammer Mendez<\/b>, Program Manager, Boston University Marine Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Julia\u2019s nominators spoke very highly of her good character and outstanding contributions to her community.<\/span> \u201cSimply, the BU Marine Program would not function without Julia,\u201d writes her nominator. <\/span>In addition to being an exceptional administrator, <\/span>the <\/span>nominator noted that she \u201cmanages to be there for the stud<\/span>ents in a very human way<\/span>\u201d.<\/span> Under her management, the<\/span> number of undergraduates in the<\/span> BU Marine Prog<\/span>ram (BUMP)<\/span> <\/span>has seamlessly <\/span>doubled from around 50 to over 100. <\/span>From streamlining administrative processes to managing contingency plans for hurricanes affecting BUMP\u2019s field site in Belize, Julia<\/span> is truly the anchor of the program and highly deserving of this award.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shelby Shipley, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"Shelby’s nominator writes \u201cIt is no exaggeration to say that she is the heart of our clinic. Shelby\u2019s incredible work ethic, organization, kindness, and patience make her the go-to for faculty, staff, students, and patients at the clinic when a question arises<\/span>… In short, she is irreplaceable<\/span>.\u201d She is dedicated to building a we<\/span>lcoming community at the Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders (CARD). Her nominator shares: \u201cStaff, students, and faculty described Shelby to me as \u201ca joy to work with<\/span>\u201d,<\/span> \u201cdelightful<\/span>\u201d,<\/span> and as having \u201ca tremendously positive attitude, shining light wherever she goes<\/span>\u201d.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Susan K. Jackson Award<\/h4>\n

The Susan K. Jackson Award honors the late Susan K. Jackson, who served as a professor and administrator in the College for over 30 years. The awardees embody her spirit in their dedication to helping others and nurturing community in CAS.<\/p>\n

2024 Susan K. Jackson Award Recipients<\/h6>
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Faculty Recipient: Lillie Webb, Lecturer in French, Director of BU Global House<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Lillie was selected for this award for her efforts to build community in Global House, the Department of Romance Studies, and CAS in general. In their nominations, her colleagues described her as Susan\u2019s \u201ckindred spirit\u201d\u2014 a caring, supportive mentor who strengthens every community she is a part of. She has spearheaded the Carrie O\u2019Connor Memorial Fund, co-sponsored a variety of interdisciplinary student events, mentored countless student residents and leaders, and served as a model of inclusive curriculum design. Her\u00a0work has had a profound impact on BU students and faculty from all walks of life.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the founding Director of Global House, she has empowered students to take control of their learning both inside and beyond the classroom. Global House\u2019s diverse living-learning community develops students into citizens of the world, adept at navigating cultural differences. She has helped Global House\u2019s students bridge the gap between the classroom and daily life, as well as the gaps of physical distance and cultural difference, through the co-curricular courses you designed on community and intercultural literacy. The selection committee commends Lillie on recent achievements in the Global House program, including establishing an African languages cluster and hiring a graduate student assistant director. It is clear that Global House continues to flourish as a hub for intercultural community and peer mentorship under her guidance.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Staff Recipient: Stacy Ulrich, Director, Office of Student Programs & Leadership<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Stacy was selected for this award for her efforts to foster community across the College of Arts & Sciences. She has been a dedicated member of OSPL for almost 10 years, and as Director, she has connected, empowered, and strengthened an exceedingly complex community of students, staff, and faculty. One of her nominators shared: \u201c<\/span>To be frank, it is shocking to me that Stacy hasn\u2019t won this award yet, considering her incredible impact on not just the CAS community, but also the greater BU community. To me, Stacy is a pillar on which CAS stands, and one of the most important members of our community.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Through managing\u2014and instructing\u2014 FY 101 across BU, Stacy is one of the first familiar faces that many freshmen see. She welcomes new students from all over the world and connect them to their new home. This is just the beginning of the care she extends to students. Stacy has guided countless students through their time in CAS, constantly looking for ways to increase student connections and community, from updating orientation, involving student leaders in open houses, leading meetings for executive board members of student groups, and starting new traditions, like CAS\u2019s Charter Day celebrations. She is also a respected mentor to her staff, elevating and guiding those around her to be the best versions of themselves. Stacy’s nominators praised her unmatched energy as an active community builder<\/span> and an empathetic and inspiring leader.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Student Recipient: Bryanne McDonough, Astronomy<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Bryanne was selected for this award for her important contributions to the Astronomy department and the wider Arts & Sciences community. Her dedication to mentorship and education shone throughout her nomination letter. In addition to her own teaching responsibilities\u2014including serving as an instructor of record in summer 2023\u2014she mentored and advised first-year teaching fellows in her department and facilitated a pedagogy journal club to bring new fellows up to speed. Bryanne has also contributed valuable resources to BU\u2019s Center for Teaching and Learning to support inclusive, accessible curricular design. Her students praised her classes as \u201cwelcoming\u201d and were especially grateful for her support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bryanne’s impact at BU resonates far beyond her award-winning teaching in Astronomy. By crafting plain-language summaries of astrophysical journal articles, she engaged undergraduates with complex scientific research from the start of their academic journeys. Her leadership in Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWISE) and Women as Leaders in Astronomy (WALA) has brought awareness to issues facing women and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM. This leadership has also connected women of all ages and professional levels, opening doors to new networks and opportunities for countless members. Through Open Nights at the Coit Observatory and community outreach with K-12 students, she has gotten the greater Boston community excited about the world we live in and the tools we have at our fingertips to explore it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, during her time at CAS, Bryanne has made astrophysics, often considered a complex or oblique field, alive and accessible to BU\u2019s community and beyond. As a mentor and an educator, she has shared the wonders of our universe, reminding us that no matter who we are, we all gaze up at the same stars.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Undergraduate Student Recipient: Seynedhee Avenie, International Relations<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"Seynedhee was selected for this award for her important contributions to the wider Arts & Sciences community through her role as a Global House Language Link leader, and her efforts to build community in the BU Nigerian Student Association, Kung Fu Club, Consulting Group, and Inner Strength Gospel Choir. Her nominators praised her leadership in organizing impactful events that fostered meaningful connections among students, such as the BU African Studies Center Gala, in which she served as a panelist. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The selection committee was also impressed by her dedication to DEI efforts. As a freshman, she helped draft the script for an antiracism module that would become a part of CAS orientation. She participated in the first Pardee DEI Committee, helping to create their mission statement, and she currently serves as the Committee Chair of the HER House DEI Committee. Seynedhee received 27 separate nominations for this award from students and professors across CAS, a testament to the positive impact she has had on making our College a more welcoming and interconnected community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

2024 I.D.E.A.L. Awards<\/h4>\n

We are thrilled to announce the 2023-2024 recipients of the CAS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, Leadership (IDEAL) awards. These awards celebrate the impactful efforts of individuals and groups whose contributions exemplify recognizing and responding to inequity, exclusion, and marginalization through thoughtful and innovative approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

2024 I.D.E.A.L. Award Recipients<\/h6>
<\/p>\n
IDEAL Award for Curricular Innovation<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
CAS is honored to announce the recipients of an inaugural citation for Curricular Innovation, the collaborative team that developed the course BF\/BI 510: Institutional Racism in the Health Sciences, a course that exposes students to the origins of racialized hierarchies within biology, genetics, and genomics. The team comprised of faculty and staff from multiple departments and colleges at BU exemplifies how interdisciplinary and intercollegiate collaboration can help students recognize and work toward solving historic disciplinary biases. Representatives from the team have also delivered multiple well-received presentations on the course\u2019s design and impacts within BU and at multiple national conferences including the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) and the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) among others. We will formally present the award to the team on June 10, 2024 during the CAS staff appreciation day ceremony. In the meantime, please join us in celebrating the work of primary instructor Melisa Osborne (Bioinformatics and Wheelock),\u00a0co-instructors Felicity Crawford (Wheelock), Adam Labadorf (Neurology and Bioinformatics), and TJ McKenna (Wheelock), Theresa Rueger (Newcastle University), TA Mae Rose Gott (Bioinformatics) and laboratory supervisor and IDEAL award recipient Barkha Shah (Biology).<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Barkha Shah, Laboratory Supervisor, Biology<\/strong>
\n
\n\"\" Barkha Shah, who serves as a Laboratory Supervisor in Biology, was cited by multiple colleagues as a staff member who regularly exceeds expectations through her prominent collaborative role in the co-creation of the course BF\/BI510 \u2013 Institutional Racism in Health and Science and steadfast dedication to students. Her contributions to the course are integral to its robust enrollment and exposure of students to scientific inequities. Barkha has also co-presented on the course at multiple national conferences. Further, in the context of the pandemic one nominator noted \u201cShe made these difficult times more bearable. She is a tireless, competent worker who continues to impress me.\u201d An additional example of her commitment to equity, access, and inclusion is her role as the advisor for the CAS Student DEI Council and her forthcoming appointment as co-chair of the Biology Antiracism Committee (BAC).<\/span><\/div>\n

 
\nMaria Datel, Master Lecturer in Spanish, Coordinator of the Spanish Language Program<\/strong>
\n<\/p>\n

\"\"According to one of Professor Mar\u00eda Datel\u2019s colleagues \u201cFor over twenty years, she has been at the forefront of culturally diverse and inclusive pedagogy in the service of Boston University. Her work has had lasting, widespread impact in the Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University, and local communities through civic engagement.\u201d Key examples include being part of the first cohort selected for the Designing Antiracism Curricula Fellowship Program, serving as a co-organizer of the Second Language Learning and Disabilities Conference, which BU has hosted for the six years, leading students from her Native and Heritage Speakers course (CAS LS 309) in conducting research with the Salem Council on Aging in Salem, Massachusetts through its connection to Boston University\u2019s Initiative on Cities, and serving on the CAS Diversity and Inclusion Action Team (DIAT) since 2023. \u00a0A recipient of the 2022 Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) she is also highly regarded as mentor for new lecturers in Spanish and an advocate for antiracist education whose \u201ctireless advocacy, innovative scholarship, and outstanding commitment to social justice embody the core values of our university community.\u201d<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hanna Dworkin, Economics, Political Science & Philosophy<\/strong>
\n
\n\"\"“Throughout our time at college, Hanna has been deeply involved in Student Government, assuming various roles that have allowed her to make a significant impact on the student body. For the past two years, she has served as the Senate Chair, a position that has tasked her with overseeing senators from every college and at-large parties, as well as driving initiatives and events aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. In her capacity as Senate Chair, Hanna has exemplified the true essence of advocacy, collaborating closely with the LGBTQIA+ Task Force to establish a new resource center on campus. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in drafting the Survivor Bill of Rights, a groundbreaking piece of legislation from the BU Student Government aimed at protecting and empowering survivors of sexual assault and harassment. Furthermore, Hanna’s involvement extends to serving on the University HUB Council, where she has spearheaded efforts to create a university-wide report detailing the impact of the HUB on BU students, advocating for necessary improvements.”<\/span><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hafsa Arain, Anthropology<\/strong>
\n
\n\"\"PhD candidate Hafsa Arain\u2019s advocacy and inclusion efforts operate in her department, on campus, and beyond. Within Anthropology she volunteers by helping her peers navigate academia\u2019s hidden curriculum including facilitating multiple writing and support groups for graduate students such as an informal support group for students of Pakistani descent studying Pakistan to share tools and resources while navigating the dissertation process. Within the BU graduate student community her advocacy in the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) efforts have made the travel grant application and reimbursement process more transparent and accessible to underrepresented students. As a scholar she has built enduring relationships with the queer and trans communities in Pakistan. For example, in the aftermath of deadly monsoon season in 2022, Hafsa teamed up with Actcept, a local NGO focused on trans empowerment in Pakistan and is regularly invited by local activists to present findings related to her research on gender, sexuality, and religion in South Asia.<\/span><\/div>\n

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\n

2024 Student Awards<\/h4>\n

The College Prize<\/h6>\n

College Prizes recognize members of the Class of 2024 who have made extraordinary contributions to their departments and programs.
\n

College Prize Recipients<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Anthropology \u2014 Julianna Dick
\nArchaeology \u2014 Ranran Zhang
\nAstronomy \u2014 Nicole M. Flors
\nBiochemistry & Molecular Biology \u2014 Iana Nikorich
\nBiology \u2014 Juneau Wang
\nChemistry \u2014 Alice C. Fan
\nCinema & Media Studies Program \u2014 Danielle Imade Momoh
\nClassical Studies \u2014 Kit Houng Li
\nComputer Science \u2014 Anming Gu
\nEarth & Environment \u2014 Alice L. Ni
\nEconomics \u2014 Hanna Josephine Dworkin
\nEnglish \u2014Max Alexander Bearinger
\nHistory \u2014 Eitan B. Marshall-Pinko
\nHistory of Art & Architecture \u2014 Romy Binstein
\nLinguistics \u2014 Samantha Mae Rigor
\nMarine Program \u2014 Abigail Sloot
\nMathematics & Statistics \u2014 Kyle James Mickelson
\nMedical Science \u2014 Rishi Shah
\nNeuroscience\u2014 Tori Keefauver
\nPhilosophy \u2014 Kimberly N. Schneider
\nPhysics \u2014 Samuel Fulton
\nPolitical Science \u2014 Kristen Nicole Bangma
\nPsychological & Brain Sciences \u2014 Dinah Rose Sher Gongora<\/p>\n

Religion \u2014 Jessica Lynn Fatzinger
\nRomance Studies \u2014 Isabelle Corbett Hanna
\nSociology \u2014 Sof\u00eda Mar\u00edn
\nWorld Languages and Literatures \u2014 Emily Marie Yoder<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Alumni Awards for Writing Excellence<\/h6>\n

The College recognizes the following winners of the Alumni Awards for Writing Excellence:<\/p>\n

Alumni Awards for Writing Excellence Recipients<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Award for Writing Excellence in the Humanities in Honor of Robert E. Charm<\/b><\/p>\n

Author<\/b>: Vanessa Anne Hanger<\/span><\/p>\n

Gregory Hudson Award for Writing Excellence in the Humanities<\/b><\/p>\n

Author<\/b>: Camryn Jewel Millett<\/span><\/p>\n

Michael A. Sassano III and Christopher M. Sassano Award for Writing Excellence in the Social Sciences<\/b><\/p>\n

Author<\/b>: Elizabeth Kostina<\/span><\/p>\n

Francis Bacon Award for Writing Excellence in the Natural Sciences<\/b><\/p>\n

Author<\/b>: Shelby R. Vaughn<\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

2024 Boston University Center for the Humanities Awards<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Each year, the Center for the Humanities gives awards to graduate and undergraduate students majoring in the humanities. This year, the center awarded its inaugural class of Digital Creator Awards, recognizing students who exemplify the center’s mission to build bridges across disciplines and make new connections through their work.<\/p>\n

2024 Undergraduate Awardees<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Each year the Center distributes awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 to undergraduate students majoring in the humanities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on the Center for the Humanities page<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

2024 Graduate Awardees<\/h6>
<\/p>\n

Each year the Center distributes awards ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 to recognize graduate students doing outstanding work in the humanities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read on the Center for the Humanities page<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

2024 Digital Creators Awards<\/h6>
\n

Building bridges is at the core of the Boston University Center for the Humanities. Our first annual Digital Creators Award in the Humanities continues this mission by making connections across various disciplines at BU.<\/span><\/p>\n

Congratulations to the AY 23-24 Digital Creators Awards recipients, whose diverse projects\u00a0<\/span>creatively bridge the humanities and emerging digital technologies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Audio Category<\/strong>
\nNicole Ratmiroff, CAS \u201927
\nNicole\u2019s podcast,\u00a0<\/span>The Idealist<\/a><\/strong>, addresses\u00a0<\/span>mental health and wellness through media trends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

App Category<\/strong>
\nCheryl Lai, COM\/CAS \u201926, Public Relations, Religion
\nCheryl\u2019s app, \u201cGrow Your Spirit<\/a><\/strong>,\u201d gamifies the process of building consistent rituals in users\u2019 lives by tying their action logs to growing virtual plants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Visual Category<\/strong>
\nIris Ren, CAS \u201927, Computer Science
\nIris\u2019s comic<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>draws connections between\u00a0<\/span>Kehinde Wiley\u2019s painting,\u00a0John, 1st Baron Byron<\/em>, and literature that Iris studied through the Core Curriculum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Web Category<\/strong>
\nKi Hang Cheung, COM \u201924, Advertising, Japanese Language & Literature Minor
\nKi Hang\u2019s website<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>explores the enduring literary legacy of Japan\u2019s Asakusa Rokku theatre district as depicted in Japanese literature.<\/span><\/p>\n

See a preview of the projects on the Center for the Humanities page<\/a>
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Retiring Faculty<\/h4>\n

This year, 21 faculty members are retiring from the College of Arts & Sciences. We invited the chairs and directors of their departments and programs to share a few words about their retiring colleagues, and our retiring colleagues to share reflections of their time at Boston University<\/a>.<\/p>\n