NOTE: This web page is archived for the Class of 2005. To see the Commencement site for this year's class, click here.

2005 Teaching Awards

Excellence in classroom teaching, research and scholarly activity, and academic advising are recognized each year at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Recipients of the Distinguished Teaching Award are recognized during Undergraduate Commencement.

Distinguished Teaching Award

Established in 1962, the Distinguished Teaching Award is regarded as the campus's most prestigious prize for classroom instruction. The honor includes a plaque and a monetary award of $3,000 for faculty members and $2,000 for teaching assistants. The names of DTA winners are also inscribed on permanent displays in the Lincoln Campus Center and the recipients are recognized during Undergraduate Commencement. Nominations for the award are made by current and former students to a committee of faculty, undergraduates and previous graduate student winners of the prize. The committee makes the award selections.

Faculty:

• Naomi Gerstel, professor of sociology
• Robert Marx, associate professor of management
• Nicholas McBride, associate professor of communication

Teaching Assistants:

• Lena Zuckerwise, political science
• Ventura Perez, Commonwealth College and anthropology.

Samuel F. Conti Fellowships

Conti Fellows receive a cash award of $3,000 and a year's leave of absence to concentrate on activities related to graduate education, research, creative work and scholarly attainment. Selection for the fellowships is based on demonstrably outstanding accomplishment and potential for continued excellence in research and scholarly or creative activity.

• James K. Boyce, professor of economics
• Michael J. Maroney, professor of chemistry
• Maria A. Tymoczko, professor of comparative literature

Outstanding Academic Advisors

The Outstanding Academic Advisors are recognized for exceptional dedicaton and skill guiding students in curricular and career decisions. They each receive $3,000 and a plaque commemorating the honor.

• Gerald McFarland, professor of history
• Linda Roney, coordinator of advising for the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration program