past winners

Introducing students to a broad global perspective at ASU for more than 25 years, Ileana Orlich has encouraged her students to experience their world geographically, historically, linguistically and culturally beyond their previous experience.

Orlich provides tremendous vision and direction to ASU students. Through passionate and inspirational classroom instruction, she demonstrates a powerful devotion to undergraduate students and inspires each to excel both in and out of the classroom.

Leona Aiken, Ph.d Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

A professor for 45 years and at ASU for 15, Professor Aiken has successfully challenged aspiring psychologists to master the less glamorous part of their careers: design, measurement and statistical analysis.

She believes in the potential of young students and appreciates the excitement of teaching and providing research opportunities for undergraduates.

James Elser, Ph.d School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Keeping the attention of 800 non-science majors in biology each semester. Teaching undergraduates to think independently. Unearthing a solution to cancer and infection. Measuring the effects of human activity on small ecosystems.

James Elser, professor of biology in the School of Life Sciences (SOLS) at ASU, is all of this and more, and the reason why the ASU Parents Association named him the 2009 Professor of the Year.

James Blasingame Jr., Ph.d Department of English, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Blasingame’s teaching and research focus on young adult literature, secondary writing instruction, preparing secondary-education teachers and cowboy poetry. He believes that every child can be taught to enjoy reading.

Before coming to ASU in 2000, Professor Blasingame spent 24 years in secondary education including three years in high school administration.

Amy Ostrom, Ph.d Department of Marketing, W. P. Carey School of Business

Professor Ostrom has taught at ASU since 1996 and enjoys the mutually beneficial relationships she builds with her students — she is always inspired by the excitement undergraduates bring to the table.

Her research focuses on services marketing and she is a Ford Faculty Fellow for Barrett, the Honors College.

Andrew Smith, Ph.d School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Smith has taught at ASU since 1978 and currently serves as associate director of undergraduate programs in addition to teaching biological sciences.

His research concerns mammalian behavioral ecology and population structure — with a majority focused on pikas in the mountains of the western United States and in Asia.

Margaret Nelson, Ph.d School of Human Evolution and Social Change, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Nelson has taught anthropology at ASU since 1995, is a faculty fellow in the Center for Environmental Studies, and has been associate dean of Barrett, the Honors College since 2003.

She studies the prehistoric people who lived in the American Southwest and students frequently accompany her to field-work sites.

Afsaneh Nahavandi, Ph.d Department of Management, School of Global Management and Leadership

Professor Nahavandi has taught at ASU since 1987 and has been a major contributor to the growth and development of the West campus of ASU. Currently, she serves as associate dean of the College of Public Programs on the Downtown Phoenix campus of ASU. She founded student-mentoring programs in the management school and freshman programs.

Her scholarly interests in leadership and cross-cultural management contribute to students’ success inside and outside the classroom.

Neal Lester, Ph.d Department of English, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Lester has taught at ASU since 1997 and is largely responsible for the increased popularity of African and African-American studies. He recognizes a desire to learn about cultural differences and has thus committed to teaching them.

Connecting the classroom to the community, Professor Lester enriches the education experiences of his students. He also serves as the chair of the English department.

George Watson, Ph.d Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Professor Watson has taught at ASU since 1969. As a political science professor, he has implemented innovative approaches to instructing students during this time at ASU.

Professor Watson is recognized for his leadership in developing national and international programs for faculty devoted to improving teaching and learning in higher education.

Ken Morrison, Ph.d Department of Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Morrison taught at ASU from 1983 until 2008 serving as the director of undergraduate studies for religious studies.

Professor Morrison was noted for being a mentor — willing to assist his students even after they finish his course. He passed away in 2012.

Jane Maienschein, Ph.d Department of Biology and Philosophy, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Professor Maienschein has served as a professor in the School of Life Sciences, as well as chair of the philosophy department since joining ASU in 1981.

She is greatly dedicated to her students’ growth and development. Professor Maienschein was named a Regents Professor in 2002 for her research, service and teaching contributions. She is also a President’s professor.

Ronald Roedel, Ph.d Department of Electrical Engineering, Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering

Professor Roedel has taught at ASU since 1981, incorporating his industrial experience to provide students the best learning experience. He received the engineering school’s Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award three times.

Professor Roedel served as associate dean of academic affairs and helped elevate the Fulton school to a U.S. top tier of engineering program.

George Bohlander, Ph.d Department of Management, W. P. Carey School of Business, emeritus faculty

Professor Bohlander specializes in teaching labor and management relations, principles of management, conflict resolution and team training and facilitation. He received six university teaching awards, including the business school’s Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, before retiring in 2007.

Professor Bohlander has published more than 50 articles and a leading textbook in human resource management.

Richard Satterlie, Ph.d Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, emeritus faculty

ASU students took classes taught by award-winning Professor Satterlie for more than 20 years. In 1994, he traveled to the University of St. Andrews in Scotland as a Fulbright Scholar.

He has more than 60 published articles and received more than $1.5 million in external grants while at ASU.