Bassichis Honored for Teaching Excellence

Texas A&M University Professor of Physics Dr. William H. Bassichis is one of five University faculty members who have been appointed to University Professorships in Undergraduate Teaching Excellence, announced Executive Vice President and Provost David B. Prior.

The three-year appointment carries an annual salary supplement of $5,000 provided by the University, as well as annual discretionary income to support the recipient’s teaching program and related professional development.

Bassichis, who will hold one of two Thaman Professorships in Undergraduate Teaching Excellence, has been a member of the Texas A&M faculty since 1970. On student evaluations, he has been either the highest or second-highest-ranked teacher each year that he has been on the faculty. Last spring Bassichis was asked to teach a group of students at Texas A&M University-Qatar, covering two semesters of physics in four months. The students voted Bassichis as their favorite professor despite the amount of work he assigned. In 2003, Bassichis was honored as one of the two inaugural recipients of Texas A&M’s Presidential Professor for Teaching Excellence Award.

“These professorships are being conferred upon some of the University’s most distinguished teachers who have exhibited excellence and devotion to the education of undergraduate students at Texas A&M University,” Prior said. “Outstanding teaching of our undergraduate students continues to be a priority with Texas A&M, and the new appointees signify this commitment in its highest sense.”

For the complete story, go to http://rev.tamu.edu/stories/05/031505-6.html.

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