Simon Richter, Class of 1965 Endowed Term Professor, was honored with the Dennis M. DeTurck Award for Innovation in Teaching. Simon was recognized for how he combines issues related to the climate emergency with humanities-based skills and resources. In courses like “Water Worlds” and “Forest Worlds” students develop new perspectives on sea level rise, flooding, deforestation, and the new forestry science through literature, film and creative writing. In his Penn Global Seminar “Comparative Cultures of Resilience in the Netherlands and the United States,” students meet with experts and communities to gain a real-world sense of how culture plays a role in helping cities adapt to climate change. Simon co-teaches a studio on “Environmental Animation” with fine arts professor Joshua Mosley and has involved numerous Penn undergraduate artists in Project Poldergeist, a series of animated videos about cultural aspects of sea level rise and climate adaptation in the Netherlands. At the awards ceremony, one of his students was quoted: “I am particularly grateful for the lasting impact professor Richter had on me and my classmates. The discussions in class coupled with exposure to various perspectives have made me more climate conscious and have instilled in me a desire to contribute positively to addressing environmental challenges.” Check out Simon's "Project Poldergeist" here!

 

 

Congratulations to Yiddish instructor Alexander Botwinik on receiving the Isadore L. Kirschner Teacher of the Year Award from Har Zion Temple. Alex received this prestigious award at the Faculty Appreciation Dinner on June 4, 2024. Pictured below are School Principal Dr. Michael Schatz, Director of Lifelong Learning Rabbi Shawn Simon-Hazani, and Alex with the plaque that hangs in the main hallway at Har Zion. The award is sponsored by Michael and Patty Kirschner in memory of Michael's father, a longtime supporter of Jewish education at Har Zion.

 

 

Meredith (Mimi) Hacking has been awarded the 2024 Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching by Graduate Students. The award recognized Mimi's teaching for its intellectual rigor, exceptional coherence, and for the considerable impact it makes on students. Mimi, along with six other recipients, was selected by a joint faculty-student committee. Faculty members celebrated her passion and enthusiasm for teaching German, along with her internalized expertise and collegiality. Students who supported Mimi's award praised her ability to foster community class spirit and her creative activities that blended innovative approaches with a passion for helping others. Congratulations, Mimi!