Published by the MIT News Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
Published by the MIT News Office at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS 44 Individuals, 8 Groups Honored at Convocation By Elizabeth A. Thomson News Office Exceptional teachers and others with especially strong commitments to the Institute and its people marked this year's Awards Convocation May 1, which honored 44 individuals and eight organizations for their contributions to the MIT community. Although the number of awards precluded saying very much about any one recipient, Professor Arthur Smith, dean for student affairs and one of the presenters, noted that "there's a lot more behind these awards than any two sentences could convey." Four awards recognized exceptional teachers. Graduate Student Council Teaching Awards were given to six professors, representing each School of the Institute. In previous years the awards, which recognize excellence in the teaching of graduate students, were given departmentally. This year's change to one per School was made to increase recognition of teaching on the graduate level. The recipients and representative quotes from students who nominated them are as follows: Marvin M. Miller, senior research scientist in nuclear engineering in the School of Engineering: "I found his course to be the most fulfilling and informative of any I have taken in my five years at MIT." Lawrence E. Susskind, professor of urban studies and planning in the School of Architecture and Planning: "More than any other classes, I find myself returning in my own work to questions, insights, ideas I developed in his class." Marcelo Cavarozzi, visiting professor of political science in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: "His commitment to his subject matter is unsurpassed. He communicates that commitment effectively and created an extremely engaging intellectual environment." John D. Joannopoulos, professor of physics in the School of Science: "Very clear and well-prepared in his lectures; he presented difficult materials with lots of insight." Two recipients were named from the Sloan School of Management. Professor Arnold I. Barnett: "He made statistics class interesting and amusing. Anyone who can make this subject even vaguely provocative deserves to be recognized as an outstanding teacher." Robert M. Freund, Nanyang Technological University Senior Professor of Management Science: "He really cares about whether or not students understand the material. He is enthusiastic about the topic and makes it fun to learn." Three members of the faculty received Everett Moore Baker Memorial Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. They are: Steven H. Strogatz, assistant professor of mathematics: "He singularly stands out as the best teacher I have had at MIT. He excites interest in the subject and gives students a solid conceptual understanding of the material." Robert J. Silbey, professor of chemistry: "He manages to capture your attention through his enthusiasm, his clear and thorough explanations, and through using real-world examples that students can relate to." Margery Resnick, associate professor of foreign languages and literature: "She exemplifies what an ideal teacher should be. She is approachable, friendly and not intimidating, and focuses more on teaching and serving students." The Amar Bose Teaching Award was given to Professor Alvin W. Drake of electrical engineering and computer science. In presenting the award, Dean Joel Moses said: "Professor Drake developed 6.041, his subject in applied probability, some 25 years ago, and despite its overwhelming success he has never felt complacent. He strives continually to improve it. 6.041 remains, today, a hallmark in our curriculum." Referring to Professor Drake's teaching, Dr. Moses said, "One of Al's many strengths is the ability to recreate, in a class of nearly 200 students, the atmosphere of a class of 20." A fourth teaching award, the Goodwin Medal, recognizes a graduate student for "conspicuously effective teaching." Two students won the medal this year. The recipients and quotes from some of their nominators follow: James F. Abbott of physics from Princeton, Mass.: "His clarity, thoroughness, dedication, and motivation are unique. I have never seen anything like it from a graduate student in my 25 years at MIT, and I only know of two professors in the entire department who could equal his high level of teaching," a faculty member wrote. Gregory W. Wornell of electrical engineering and computer science from Canada: "I would not have expected a graduate student to be able to teach a course [6.341] of this breadth and complexity. . . He achieved the ultimate aim of teaching: he not only informed, he also provided intuition into the material and the motivation to learn it," a student wrote. Other award recipients were also honored for their commitment to the MIT community. James N. Murphy Awards for MIT employees whose contributions to the Institute community have endeared them to students were presented to three people this year. The recipients and quotes from some of their nominators follow: Be B. Hubbard, administrative secretary at the Lab for Computer Science: "Be is Mom to the entire group. She listens to troubles, distributes candy, counsels students in need, baby-sits," and much more. James E. Roberts, night watchman at East Campus House: "Big Jimmy serves as protector, physician, counsellor and parent to MIT students in their hours of greatest need. He has saved lives directly through his cool and courageous actions and he may have saved lives indirectly through his kind words and deeds." Phyllis Ruby, graduate administrator in mathematics: "She's the first and last person a graduate student sees." Said one student, "If Phyllis were to leave, it is possible that the Mathematics Department might grind to a halt." Four students received Karl Taylor Compton Prizes honoring their work in promoting high standards of achievement and good citizenship within the community. They are: David P. Carroll, a senior in biology from Baytown, Tex., who "has shown an impressive commitment to raising awareness on issues of hunger and social injustice. His leadership in the MIT Hunger Action Group has ensured that organization's ever-increasing visibility and effectiveness on campus." David G. Steel, a graduate student in physics from England, who "as a member of numerous Institute committees . . . and in his efforts on behalf of the Graduate Student Council, the Physics Department and the Alumni Fund Board has articulated graduate student concerns about housing, support, networks, families and recreation." Rebecca D. Kaplan, a junior in brain and cognitive sciences from Canada, whose "dedication, energy, effectiveness and commitment to social activism is evident in her work with Gays at MIT; Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day, and the Association for Women Students." Steven D. Penn, a graduate student in physics from Allston, who "has been involved in activities unified by the constant themes of democracy, freedom of inquiry and justice." Those activities include serving as vice-president of the Graduate Student Council and helping found the Thistle. Receiving William L. Stewart, Jr., Awards for outstanding contributions to extracurricular life at MIT were: James W. Bales, a graduate student in physics from Brookline, for reviving and strengthening the annual intramural College Bowl tournament, sometimes called the "Varsity Sport of the Mind." The Colombian Student Association, for organizing numerous activities that "successfully presented varied aspects of Colombia to the MIT community." Defeat Discrimination at MIT, for efforts that "have given MIT the opportunity to reassert its commitment to maintaining an environment that refuses to tolerate prejudice, bigotry and discrimination." William B. Glass, a junior in electrical engineering and computer science from Keene Valley, N.Y., for "enthusiastically administering classes taken by over 400 area high-school students" through the Educational Studies Program's High School Studies Program. Dawn R. Orton, a graduate student in chemical engineering from Mesa, Ariz., for teaching aerobics classes at MIT. Monnica J. Williams, a senior in electrical engineering and computer science from Cambridge, for her work with MIT Pro-Life and for helping organize a Boston-area crisis center for homeless expectant mothers. Manish Bapna, a senior in electrical engineering and computer science from Hinsdale, Ill, for his work with the Undergraduate Association. Andrew M. Greene, a senior in physics with electrical engineering from Jamaica Estates, N.Y., for helping members of the community "get around better" through his work with HowTOGAMIT. John B. Morrell and Thomas H. Moyer, graduate students in mechanical engineering from Cambridge and Menlo Park, Calif., for transforming the Cycling Club from a "group of individual cyclists into a team." (The weekend before the convocation the Cycling Club won the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Championships. The team is now eligible for the Nationals in Spokane, Washington.) The Laya W. Wiesner Award, presented to an undergraduate woman who has most enhanced MIT community life, was given to Sallie E. Israelit, a senior in urban studies and planning from Portland, Oreg. Ms. Israelit won for her work with AIDS Response at MIT, Residence Orientation Week 1990, and many other groups. Two awards recognized achievements in the arts. Julie A. Schmittdiel, a senior in mathematics from Lansing, Mich., won the Louis Sudler Prize in the Arts for her devotion to Dramashop. "She has raised the art of stagecraft to an inspiring benchmark," said Ellen T. Harris, associate provost for the arts. The Sudler Prize is awarded to a senior who has demonstrated excellence in music, theater, painting, sculpture, design, architecture or film. Laya and Jerome B. Wiesner Awards were given to Peter E. Dunn, a graduate student in aeronautics and astronautics from Canada, and the Festival Jazz Ensemble. The awards recognize achievements in the creative and performing arts. Mr. Dunn won for his work with The Tech, having served as contributing editor since 1986 and twice serving as arts editor. He was specifically cited for his "dedication in producing the On the Town section of the Tech," and the Guide to Arts around MIT and Boston. The Festival Jazz Ensemble won for their "resounding and rollicking contributions to campus life for 30 years." Said Professor Harris, "You should always hear music, and not hear about it. Go see one of their performances." The Gordon Y Billard Award for service to the Institute of outstanding merit was given to Warren A. Seamans, director of the MIT Museum. Mr. Seamans was cited for his work with the museum, which he developed almost single-handedly 20 years ago this year. Darcy D. Prather, a senior in electrical engineering and computer science from Hazelwood, Mo., and Benigno Salazar, a senior in chemical engineering from Salinas, Calif., won Albert G. Hill Prizes. The Hill Prizes are awarded to minority juniors or seniors who have maintained high academic standards while contributing to the quality of life for minorities at MIT. The Frederick Gardiner Fassett, Jr., Award to a member of the Interfraternity Council who has demonstrated qualities that further the ideals of the fraternity brotherhood, was given to Ariel Warszawski, a senior in materials science and engineering. Mr. Warszawski is president of Chi Phi. Two fraternities were also honored at the convocation. Phi Delta Theta won the James R. Killian, Jr., Community Service Award as the fraternity with the most outstanding community service program (Phi Delta Theta worked for muscular dystrophy and ran a Christmas Toy Project for underprivileged kids in the community), and Zeta Psi won the IFC Alumni Relations Award. The MIT Panhellenic Association was recognized for promoting and encouraging faculty/student interactions with the Kenneth R. Wadleigh Award. Earlier this year their efforts culminated in a tea attended by Rebecca Vest. The Irwin Sizer Award for the Most Significant Improvement to MIT Education was given to Chemicals in the Environment, a set of curricula in several departments organized by the Hazardous Substances Management Program. The Graduate Student Council Activities Committee won the Edward L. Horton Fellowship Award for organizing several events, including whale watches and trips to the Boston Symphony. The Horton Award is presented to a student or group that fosters fellowship within the graduate student body. Lori M. Lubin, a senior in physics from Philadelphia, Pa., and Rebecca B. Scarr, a senior in chemistry from Charlottesville, Va., won Association of MIT Alumnae Awards. The awards are presented to a senior woman or women who has demonstrated the highest level of academic excellence through coursework and related professional activities.