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 2026 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. Honorees may receive the award only once in a lifetime.
The 2026 honorees include two from Kendall College of Arts & Sciences and one from Oxley College of Health & Natural Sciences:
Matthew Hindman, Associate Professor of Political Science
Marking more than a decade of undergraduate instruction, Matt Hindman began teaching political science at UTulsa in 2013, shortly after receiving his doctorate from the University of Minnesota. He was promoted to associate professor in 2019.
In his classroom, Hindman’s students deepen their “awareness of American democracy and the enduring connections between its past and present.” With a student-centered approach, he prioritizes a “participatory spirit.” He aims to teach students that learning must be completed with others “who might not share our values, backgrounds or ambitions.” Regularly reworking his syllabi each year, Hindman remains committed to pedagogical innovation and growth in the classroom. He seeks to create an environment where students try new ideas, think aloud and reflect collaboratively.
Selected Student Comments:
Hindman’s student evaluations exceed both departmental and institutional averages. Students consistently praise his clarity, fairness, accessibility and ability to foster open, respectful dialogue even on contentious political topics, “I have gained a much better understanding of the government and political issues,” one wrote. Other students report his classes as being intellectually demanding yet accessible: “His rigorous grading makes me a better writer.”
Denise Dutton, Applied Associate Professor of Political Philosophy
Denise Dutton’s teaching career spans more than 25 years, beginning in 2001 as a lecturer at Princeton University, continuing for six years as assistant professor at Missouri State University and extending through her distinguished service at The University of Tulsa. She received her doctorate in politics at Princeton. A member of UTulsa since 2009, Dutton has fulfilled roles such as assistant provost, director of nationally competitive fellowships and founding director of the Henneke Center for Academic Fulfillment. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes “drawing students out, not boring into them,” and her goal is for students to leave her courses with “a sense of which thinkers, questions and ideas they’ve incorporated into their worldview.”
Selected Student Comments:
Dutton’s student evaluations are consistently among the highest in the college. “She never shoots down anyone’s ideas … she would seem to always understand what I was trying to say and couldn’t,” one student said. They praise her classes for its use of intensive and impactful texts. “This seminar class gave me a love for the classics… I learned how to write ‘in conversation’ with the text,” and “I see politics in everything I read now,” one student wrote. Alongside student evaluations, students from Phi Beta Kappa recognize Dutton as a faculty member who has shaped their education for over a decade. “Dr. Dutton is genuinely one of the kindest and most passionate professors I have ever had,” one student said. Even after graduating, alumni frequently write to share how her courses continue to shape their thinking: “Your wisdom and guidance have had such a tremendous positive impact on me.”
Charles Brown, Professor of Biology
Within an impressive career spanning more than four decades, Charles Brown has held a tenured position at UTulsa since 1994. Prior to that, he taught for 13 years at the University of Nebraska and Yale University. He received his doctorate from Princeton University. At UTulsa, Brown has taught extensively in the Department of Biological Science and mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students, as well as many postdoctoral advisees. Brown has served on many university committees, including undergraduate and graduate student affairs committees as well as his departmental review and tenure and promotion committees. Brown encourages students to learn science by “doing science” and challenges students to make connections with their knowledge. Students “come away from the classes with new ways to think about problems, based not only on primary literature sources, but also from discussions that go beyond the book.”
Selected Student Comments:
Brown’s students praise his teaching methods. “I found Dr. Brown to be two things: one, a wealth of knowledge, and two, someone who wanted me to find the answer,” one said. Other students note their growth after his challenging and in-depth courses:
- “[He] is the most talented teacher I’ve ever had. From both classes and time together in the field, Dr. Brown trained me to think like an ecologist.”
- “After spending any time with Dr. Brown, you come out more knowledgeable, more thoughtful, and most importantly a more skilled critical thinker that can be used in all aspects of life.”
Alumni wrote a variety of comments, including, “He molded me into a well-rounded scientist because he took the time to explain any question I asked.” One graduate added, “He was revolutionary in my own growth as a teacher.”