The 2011 Wig Awards
Each year, juniors and seniors help select the recipients of the Wig Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching, the highest honor bestowed on Pomona faculty. In their anonymously written nomination comments, students offered high praise for the six professors who were honored at Commencement in May:
About Oona Eisenstadt, the Fred Krinsky Professor of Jewish Studies and associate professor of religious studies: “Whether she’s translating obscure ancient Hebrew texts on the fly or having dinner with students, the level of her intellect and the fluency with which she speaks of her areas of expertise never ceases to amaze.”
About Pierre Englebert, professor of politics: “There are very few professors anywhere who are able to make a three-hour-long stats seminar that begins at 7 p.m. interesting or educational, and Englebert is one of those few.”
About Richard Hazlett, the Stephen M. Pauley M.D. ’62 Professor of Environmental Science and professor of geology: “Most inspiring, knowledgeable, passionate, approachable and amicable professor ever. … He has also inspired me to do something meaningful in this world, to make a change, and to take on the world’s environmental issues with hope and courage.”
About Richard Lewis, professor of psychology and neuroscience: “His lectures are well thought-out and tell an interesting story. His classroom style uses a combination of intelligent commentary, wit and anecdotes that make the material more accessible and interesting.”
About Nicole Weekes, professor of neuroscience: “Her lectures are engaging and thought-provoking, and she is always so welcoming of questions, be they silly or mundane. She has also been incredibly accessible outside of class, and I have felt respected and understood.”
About Samuel Yamashita, the Henry E. Sheffield Professor of History: “He is so knowledgeable and imparts it in an even, measured and considered pace, keeping the class entranced. It’s not just the way in which he works with the students that’s so remarkable—his choice of outside reading matter … would bring even nominally interested students into the fold.”