Tuesday, April 9, 2002

Mark Houk Wins 2002 Curtis Award for Teaching Excellence by a Graduate Student

The University's Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student in 2002 has been won by Mark Houk of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Mark won the award for his excellence as a teaching assistant in the introductory physics sequence PHY113 and PHY114 (General Physics I and II). The nomination was supported by letters from Professor Nick Bigelow, director of undergraduate studies, Professor Steve Manly (PHY113) and Professor Doug Cline (PHY114). The rating committee was particularly impresssed by Mark's teaching evaluations, and in particular the comments made by several of the undergraduates in his sections. Mark Houk holds a DOEd/GAANN Fellowship in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Each recipient of the Curtis Award receives a check for $500. In addition, each student's department receives $250 for improvements in undergraduate course materials or lab equipment. Mark Houk and other recipients of this honor will have lunch with President Jackson and Provost Phelps at the President's office on Tuesday, April 30, 2002.

Last year, a Physics and Astronomy gradute student, Kevin Wright, also won the Curtis award in 2001. See Currents Article of April 30, 2001 at: http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Currents/V29/V29N09/story11.html

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a long history of Curtis Award winners, including Rohit Bhatia in 1996, Mishkat Bhattacharya in 1997, Ben Weiss in 1998, Jane Wesley in 2000, Kevin Wright in 2001, and most recently Mark Houk in 2002.

Article submitted by:
Arie Bodek
4/9/02; 9:32:59 AM

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