Great actors win Oscars. Great teachers win the Milton Plesur Award.
On April 11, five faculty members - nominated by the students they inspired - gathered in the flag room to accept their due honors.
"Many teachers are nominated and recognized for teaching awards from SUNY," said Michael Ryan, the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. "The significance of this award is that it's endowed by the students."
The Milton Plesur award is currently the only award on campus where the students nominate teachers.
"It's a good tradition to give the professors the recognition they deserve," said Shannon Palermo, assistant director of Student Affairs, and the ceremony's opening speaker.
Students were able to pick up forms from 350 Student Union to nominate teachers that they felt had made their educational experiences memorable.
"It's not so much what a student writes on the nomination form that gets these professors recognized," said senior English major Peter Rizzo, while presenting Professor David Schmid's award. "Instead, it is a testament to their commitment to academia and dedication to UB's students."
Retiring anthropology professor Robert Dentan was honored for 40 years of service. Senior mechanical engineering major Creighton Randall nominated Dentan for his ability to successfully relate current events to anthropology lectures.
"I've received other plaques, but this is the only one I'll put on my wall," Dentan said.
Junior biomedical science major Annie Majoka also honored Professor Ana Bacigalupo from the department of anthropology.
"I came in thinking (her class) was a prerequisite course, but I was converted to the major," Majoka said, who now has a focus in cultural anthropology. "I loved every minute of it."
Majoka chose to honor Bacigalupo because of her ability to teach a course seriously but still have fun. One example students cited was having the entire class sit in a circle to encourage discussion.
Senior Amanda Masters was inspired to pursue her degree in women's studies herself when she read Professor Alexis Deveaux's book, "Warrior Poet."
"She was truly inspiring, challenging students to think outside box with every aspect of her teaching," Masters said.
Milton Plesur was a well-liked and respected history professor, after whom the award is named. Plesur was dedicated, devoted and compassionate about his students' wellbeing, as are the teachers being honored with his award, according to Ryan.
"Undergraduates are fabulous," Nickerson said. "They're strongly imaginative, creative, they don't take anything for granted, and they're hard workers."
All teachers awarded were honored by the recognition given to them by their own students.
"Teaching is an act of love, and it helps that it goes both ways," Dentan said.
Editor's note: Peter Rizzo is currently on hiatus as Editorial Editor of The Spectrum.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
