BRADFORD, PA Dr.
Ronald Mattis, associate professor of engineering, has received the University
of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s 2015 Chairs’ Faculty Teaching Award for excellence
in teaching.
“Over his nearly 30
years of service on our campus, Ron has proven himself to be a dedicated and
talented teacher,” said Dr. Yong-Zhou Chen, professor of mathematics, who nominated
Mattis for the award.
Mattis was chosen for
the award by the chairmen and chairwoman of Pitt-Bradford’s five academic
divisions.
In choosing an award
recipient, the chairpersons review letters of recommendation, student evaluations
of teaching, syllabi and grade distribution. They also consider the teachers’
knowledge of subject matter and their advising and dedication in working with
students beyond the classroom in activities such as internships and research
projects.
The award, which is
now in its 14th year, is open to any full-time faculty member who
has taught at Pitt-Bradford for at least three consecutive academic years.
“Ron’s teaching
evaluations are always well above the Engineering School mean,” Chen said. “He
always pays attention to students’ understanding of the material,
problem-solving ability and class participation.”
Chen noted that
Mattis focuses his professional development on engineering education, spends a
large amount of time with students discussing career options and co-op
programs.
As director of the
two-year engineering program, Mattis helps students find internship
opportunities and assists them in transferring to the university’s Pittsburgh
campus for the completion of their program. He regularly communicates with the
engineering school in Pittsburgh to coordinate the engineering program and keep
its curriculum up-to-date.
Mattis has taught at
Pitt-Bradford since 1985. He was a W.C. Foster Fellows Visiting Fellow at the
U.S. Department of State Verification and Compliance Bureau, Office of Nuclear
Affairs, and has served as a consultant for the department.
He earned his
doctorate in nuclear engineering at Penn State University in 1991 and his
Master of Science in nuclear engineering from the University of Michigan in
1979.
He lives in Kane. In
his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, cross-country skiing, weight training
and reading.
Past recipients of
the Chairs’ Faculty Teaching Award are Dr. Flora Wei, Dr. Francis Mulcahy, Dr.
Tammy Haley, Isabelle Champlin, Dr. Hashim Yousif, Dr. Jean Truman, Andrea
Robbins, Dr. Helene Lawson, Dr. Joanne Burgert, Dr. Nancy McCabe, Donald
Lewicki, Dr. Donald Ulin and Dr. Lauren Yaich.
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