Fourteen professors received recognition from the University of Texas System Board of Regents across several of its academic and medical institutions, including an UT Austin professor, for exceptional teaching performance, according to an Oct. 11 press release.
The Regents established the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards in 2008 to recognize recipients for exceptional classroom teaching and remaining dedicated to innovation.
“The UT presidents and I are grateful to the regents for their continued investment in this important program,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said in the press release. “The impact that exceptional faculty have on our students’ lives, both professionally and personally, is immeasurable.”
The Theatre and Dance Department first nominated Paul Bonin-Rodriguez, associate professor and graduate advisor, for the award, followed by the College of Fine Arts backing the nomination.
Previously, Bonin-Rodriguez received multiple teaching awards from the University, including the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award for contributions to the undergraduate curriculum, the Signature Course Inclusive Classroom Award and the Distinguished Teaching Award from the Department of Theatre and Dance.
“It’s really a great honor,” Bonin-Rodriguez said. “Having the opportunity to focus on the work (I do) and then the experience of gratitude upon reflection was really great.”
Each department within each college submitted an applicant for the award, Bonin-Rodriguez said. A shortlist was created from the nominees, and the System chose Bonin-Rodriguez as the campus finalist.
“(Dr. Bonin-Rodriguez) is constantly trying to impact and augment our scholarly commitment to research and practice simultaneously,” graduate student Michael DeWhatley said. “(He makes) sure that our academic work is not removed from the art that we’re making onstage and that students from across the University, whether they’re theater and dance majors or not, feel like the arts are for them.”
Recipients receive a $25,000 cash prize, a medallion and formal recognition by the Board of Regents at their next quarterly board meeting on Nov. 16.
“We’re always working out of a sense of dedication to our students,” Bonin-Rodriguez said. “We get to work across generations and as a community. I’m grateful for that aspect every day.”
