AUSTIN, Texas—David Heymann, a professor and associate dean in the School of Architecture, has received the $12,000 Friar Centennial Teaching Fellowship, The University of Texas at Austin’s largest award for undergraduate teaching excellence.
The 17th annual award derives from the nearly $500,000 Friar Centennial Teaching Fellowship endowment. Heymann is the first faculty member from the School of Architecture to receive the award.
In keeping with tradition, the Friar Society interrupted Heymann’s class on April 15 with a trumpet parade and gave him an over-sized check. Following the ceremony the Friar Society dismissed the class for the rest of the period.
Heymann said, “I am so thrilled. I just assumed this would never happen to me.”
The Friar Society, founded in 1911, is the university’s oldest honor society. The award recognizes professors who go above and beyond the call of duty in reaching out to undergraduate students. Unlike other awards, the fellowship does not seek to honor professors for their research or publications, but instead for their dedication to students.
Students across campus nominate their favorite professors and a committee of Friar Society student members selects the award recipient. Members spent three months reviewing several thousand pages of materials from more than 200 nominations.
For more information contact: Robert D. Meckel, Office of Public Affairs, 512-475-7847.
