Five Northwestern University professors including Professors Michael J. Allen and Thomas J. Meade are being honored with the 2021 University Teaching Awards. The annual honor is given to professors who demonstrate excellence and innovation in undergraduate education.
Allen is an Associate Professor in the Department of History. He earned his Ph.D. in History from Northwestern.
Allen explains that “the goal of historical study is not the mastery of facts but rather a conversation with the past about questions and concerns we still struggle with in the present.”
Throughout his classes, Allen facilitates peer discussion and assignments that hone critical analysis and clear communication. His chair writes, “Allen’s courses zero in how to find, shape, and deploy the evidence that buttresses larger arguments. His courses encourage critical thinking and skilled expository writing by providing the students many opportunities to practice both, get feedback, and do it again.”
Meade is a Professor in the Departments of Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, Neurobiology and Radiology. He earned his Masters in Biochemistry and his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from The Ohio State University. Meade is a member of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute and also is Director of the Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging (CAMI) and Quantitative Bio-Element Imaging Center (QBIC).
Meade adheres to a philosophy for teaching biochemistry in which learning occurs when students can apply their understanding of content to answer new questions.
Meade explains, “This process provides the student with something invaluable: it equips a student to self-derive an answer rather than to merely memorize an answer.”
Meade has a reputation as a caring instructor open to dialogue with students. His chair explains, “Students fill the empty front seats of the lecture hall and line up early for office hours.”
The recipients were nominated by the deans of the schools, or colleges, in which they have their principal appointments. Winners were selected by a committee chaired by the Provost and made up of senior faculty members, university administrators and a student representative.
The award includes a salary stipend for the next 3 years as well as funds for professional development. The term commences at the start of the 2021-2022 academic year.