Among the highest forms of recognition that The University of Tulsa can bestow upon a member of the faculty is the Outstanding Teacher Award. Initiated in 1980, it is limited to three faculty members per year – less than 1% of the resident faculty. The winners are nominated by students, and the selection is made by the elected Faculty Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate. Thus, the award represents recognition by both students and fellow faculty. The winners of this prestigious award are honored at the 2024 undergraduate commencement ceremony with a monetary award and a medallion. Past winners can be recognized by this medallion worn on a ribbon about the neck as part of their academic regalia.
Jeffrey Alderman, Barbara Yetter Roth Chair in Community Medicine
Jeffrey Alderman, M.D., has been a member of the UTulsa faculty for eight years and currently serves as assistant dean for medical education. Alderman has 22 years of experience in academia. Being recognized outside of the campus community as an expert has added to his abilities in the classroom. He received the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences in 2021. Alderman routinely goes above and beyond for the students he teaches, including regular meetings at the McFarlin Library Starbucks, which provides students a comfortable and welcoming space to meet with him.
Selected student comments:
- “The best part of courses taught by Dr. Alderman is that he understands the students he’s teaching. For us in athletic training, Dr. Alderman tailored his conversations and examples to be relevant and engaging for us instead of only speaking about family medicine and his palliative care expertise.”
- “Dr. Alderman has been an inspiration to me since I came to this campus. He continues to engage with future professionals and teaches them how to think critically and consider alternative perspectives.”
Emily Contois, Associate Professor of Media Studies
Emily Contois, Ph.D., has been a full-time faculty member in Kendall College of Arts & Sciences since fall 2018. Since her arrival, she has been recognized by her students not only as a passionate and effective instructor, but a trusted guide across campus as faculty-in-residence. She cares about her students, and her exceptional efforts in connecting their learning experience in the classroom and their life in the future make her a unique mentor on campus. Contois has received the Most Valuable Professor award from student-athletes four times in six years.
Selected student comment:
- “Dr. Emily Contois is such an amazing professor. Her unwavering dedication to her students’ growth and success has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the student body. Contois has opened her arms and house up to me many times. I would say she is my mentor, my college mom, and so much more. I have been at UTulsa for two years, and she has helped me grow in so many ways. If I have a question, concern, or thought, she is right there to help me throughout my process.”
Dustin Donnell, Applied Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Dustin Donnell, M.S., joined the College of Engineering & Computer Science in 2009 as an adjunct faculty member in mechanical engineering and transitioned to a full-time faculty in 2018. Since then, he has become an integral and valuable member of the department and oversees the McElroy Rapid Prototyping lab technician program. Donnell is responsible for teaching students at all levels, including the Statics course taken by students in many engineering programs. Donnell received nominations from freshmen through seniors, which is a rare occurrence and is a testament to his ability to teach, motivate, and inspire students throughout their educational journey.
Selected student comment:
- “I have definitely learned more about cars. I have a more complete view of the automobile as a whole, and this class has kickstarted my interest in working on my own car. I didn’t know much about automatic transmissions, steering systems, ancillaries, ignition, and even some basic engine components, but now I have a basic understanding, and I have been learning more on my own. The practical experience with the Cyclone project car was valuable, especially the ignition lab.”