*********************************
There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
*********************************
Atlanta, GA | Posted: July 10, 2018
A. Maureen Rouhi, Ph.D.
Director of Communications
College of Sciences
Summary Sentence:
Award recognizes psychology lecturer’s contributions to undergraduate education and outreach.
Full Summary:
Named for the late Georgia Tech Professor of Mathematics Eric R. Immel, the award recognizes exemplary teaching in a foundational undergraduate course.
Christopher StanzioneThe College of Sciences has named Christopher Stanzione to receive the 2018 Eric R. Immel Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching. His selection is based on his outstanding contributions to undergraduate education and research, as instructor, mentor, researcher, and advocate.
The award recognizes exemplary teaching by junior faculty members in foundational classes during the current or previous academic year. It is made possible by an endowment created through the generosity of College of Sciences alumnus Charles J. Crawford (B.S. in Applied Mathematics 1971) in recognition of the contributions and accomplishments of the late Georgia Tech School of Mathematics Professor Eric. R. Immel.
“The effective teaching of foundational courses is critical to Georgia Tech’s mission to educate and train the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers,” says College of Sciences Dean Paul M. Goldbart. “We are delighted to recognize Chris, and thank him, for the tremendous difference he makes, including via his teaching of foundational psychology.”
Stanzione is a lecturer in the School of Psychology. He teaches Introductory Psychology, Human Development, and Personality Theory. He is remarkable in the classroom with students, a role model for other instructors, and selfless in meeting service responsibilities. He goes above and beyond what he signed up for at Georgia Tech – which is to teach. On his own initiative, he mentors students, conducts research, and leads outreach efforts for the School of Psychology.
“This recognition is a motivator and reminder that my work as an educator is never complete.”
Colleagues say Stanzione’s unparalleled passion for teaching manifests in instructor effectiveness. His ratings for each of his classes, which usually have more than 200 students, are never lower than 4.7 out of 5.0.
Many students say their interest in majoring in psychology was sparked when they took on of Stanzione’s introductory courses. This ability to inspire students and expand their horizons is well known in the School of Psychology. It has earned Stanzione the nickname “major magnet.”
Stanzione conducts research in language development in deaf and hard-of-hearing children. He often offers research opportunities to undergraduates. Because of his research, he was invited to be the keynote speaker at the 2016 meeting of the Georgia Psychological Society.
A passionate believer in Georgia Tech’s psychology program, Stanzione often undertakes outreach activities, including giving presentations about the program at events for accepted students, families, and high school students.
The Immel award is the second for Stanzione in 2018. In April, he received Georgia Tech’s 2018 CTL Undergraduate Educator Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of non-tenure-track faculty to the education of Georgia Tech undergraduate students.
“This recognition is a motivator and reminder that my work as an educator is never complete,” Stanzione says. “There is always a new method to deliver content and stronger, more authentic ways to connect with students. If I do not evolve, my students might not either. That said, teaching is a two-way street: it requires not only the right teacher, but also the right student.”
