University's teaching faculty recognized with outstanding teaching awards
Thursday, March 29, 2018
MANHATTAN — Four Kansas State University faculty members will receive the 2018 Commerce Bank and W.T. Kemper Foundation Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award.
Bruce Babin, instructor of mechanical and nuclear engineering; Genevieve Baudoin, assistant professor of architecture; J.J. Brotton, instructor of marketing; and Daniel Kuester, director of undergraduate studies in economics, will receive the award and a $2,500 honorarium from Commerce Banchares Foundation and the W.T. Kemper Foundation.
"Commerce Bank and the William T. Kemper Foundation are proud to continue our tradition of partnering with K-State to honor four exceptional educators," said Shawn Drew, market president and CEO of Commerce Bank. "The partnership began over 20 years ago and continues as a wonderful way to recognize teaching excellence. Our heartfelt thanks and congratulations goes out to this year’s recipients."
Babin teaches mechanical engineering courses such as graphics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer and finite element applications. His teaching philosophy includes four key aspects: knowing the audience and adapting the class to fit, providing effective feedback, making learning engaging, and keeping a path open for student success. He has been awarded multiple teaching awards, including the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Outstanding Educator award and the James L. Hollis Award twice. He is a member and 2018 chair of the American Society for Engineering Education; member and former student chapter advisor of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and a member and student chapter advisor for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Baudoin teaches Building Construction Systems in Architecture II and Architectural Design Studio, typically at the third-, fourth- and fifth-year levels, as well as graduate seminars. Baudoin's teaching philosophy focuses on encouraging students to develop their big ideas in studio through a grounded understanding in construction systems and a defined relationship to site. She has advised many students who have earned design awards for their work. She also is a professional architect, co-founder of the practice Dual Ecologies, member of the American Institute of Architects, and the author of "Interpreting Site: Studies in Perception, Representation, and Design."
Brotton teaches Introduction to Marketing, which has about 320 students every semester. Her teaching philosophy centers on student engagement and letting students know that they matter. She has been nominated for many awards, including the Ralph E. Reitz Outstanding Teaching Award and Kansas State Bank Teaching Award. She will serve as a judge for Greeks Got Talent and was a homecoming float judge. She currently serves on the Faculty Exchange for Teaching Excellence advisory board.
Kuester has taught several courses, including History of Economic Thought, Sports Economics, Senior Seminar, Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics. His teaching philosophy focuses on using examples of economics in everyday lives to show it is everywhere — even in entertainment — and he makes an effort to keep his students relaxed and comfortable in class. He has received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, the Putting Students First Award for Outstanding Service to Students, the William L. Stamey Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising and the William L. Stamey Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to serving as advisor to the university's Economics Club, he also is a member several university committees and professional organizations.
