Congratulations to Lucas Howell, of the Friestad Group, Nicholas Luedtke, of the Cheatum Group, and Soe Tun, of the Pigge Group. They have been recognized for their efforts as teaching assistants in chemistry and biochemistry.

The University of Iowa Council on Teaching named 30 teaching assistants as recipients of the 2020 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. These awards have been given annually since 1988 to a select group of graduate teaching assistants who have effectively promoted learning and creativity both inside and outside the classroom while demonstrating enthusiasm and dedication to student success.

“Recognizing and rewarding teaching excellence is so important, and I could not be prouder to recognize these outstanding teaching assistants,” says Montserrat Fuentes, executive vice president and provost. “While I am very disappointed that our current situation prevents me from thanking them in person, I want each of them to know how grateful I am for their commitment and generosity toward their students, for their hard work, and for showing such true Hawkeye spirit. They lift up our community and deserve our praise.”

This year’s recipients are teaching assistants who taught for at least one semester during the spring, summer, or fall of 2019. Nominations for the awards were sought from undergraduate students, faculty, colleagues, departmental executive officers, and deans. Each awardee receives a certificate as well as $1,000.

“The importance of good teachers cannot be understated,” says Thomas Schmidt, chair of the Council on Teaching and professor of molecular physiology and biophysics. “Like this institution, I am committed to giving our students the best education possible, and so I am proud to recognize these dedicated and talented teaching assistants who show us what our best can be.”