School of Engineering & Applied Science Teaching Awards
May 8, 2007, Volume 53, No. 33	Print Issue

The 2007 School of Engineering and Applied Science Teaching Awards were presented on April 25 at the Annual Awards Recognition Dinner.

Dr. John C. Schotland, associate professor of bioengineering and electrical and systems engineering, was awarded the School’s highest teaching honor, the S. Reid Warren, Jr. Award. The award is presented annually by the undergraduate student body and the Engineering Alumni Society in recognition of outstanding service in stimulating and guiding the intellectual and professional development of undergraduate students in SEAS. Dr. Schotland received both his M.D. and Ph.D. from Penn and joined the faculty of Penn Engineering in 2002.  He is a member of the Nano/Bio Interface Center and the Institute for Medicine and Engineering. A student writes, “Dr. Schotland challenges students to re-open math and physics textbooks to review everything from Bessel functions to multi-dimensional Fourier transforms.” Another student notes that “outside of class, Professor Schotland devotes countless hours advising students on graduate school. With both an M.D. and a Ph.D., Professor Schotland is equipped to openly discuss each program, thereby helping students to decide which track best fits their personalities and career goals.”

Dr. Thomas A. V. Cassel, practice professor of mechanical engineering and applied mechanics and the director of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program, was awarded the Ford Motor Company Award for Faculty Advising. The award recognizes dedication to helping students realize their educational, career and personal goals. Dr. Cassel received a B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and currently teaches courses in engineering entrepreneurship. In the words of a student, “Dr. Cassel bridges the gap between engineering and business.  His personal mentorship has helped me to determine my future career goals.” Dr. Cassel is a previous recipient of the S. Reid Warren, Jr. Award, has been named a “Perfect Professor” by the Penn Course Review, and received the Provost’s Award earlier this year (Almanac April 17, 2007).

More Teaching Awards from the Law School, School of Design and School of Dental Medicine will be published in the May 22 issue. (There is no issue May 15.)