The Ohio State University’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, established during the 1959-60 academic year, is one of the university's most prestigious teaching awards. Ten faculty members were recently honored with the award. The honorees were notified of their awards through surprise announcements led by senior university leaders.
“Each year, we celebrate exceptional faculty members whose dedication and passion for teaching shape our students’ futures,” said Molly Ranz Calhoun, president and CEO of The Ohio State University Alumni Association. “These outstanding individuals embody the essence of academic excellence and Ohio State’s mission as a land-grant institution. On behalf of the alumni association, it is an honor to recognize their contributions with this prestigious award.”
Laura C. Boucher
Clinical Associate Professor
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (HRS)
College of Medicine
During her more than a decade of teaching at Ohio State, Laura C. Boucher has distinguished herself through innovative teaching methods, a commitment to student success and leadership in curriculum development. She has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2024 HRS Excellence in Teaching Award, the College of Medicine’s 2018 Best Teaching and Learning Methods LSI Foundations II Award, the 2016 Candy Apple Award and the 2015 Faculty Achievement Award.
Meow Hui Goh
Associate Professor
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
College of Arts and Sciences
Meow Hui Goh has demonstrated dedication, passion and innovative teaching methods during her two decades at Ohio State. She is celebrated for creating an inclusive and engaging classroom environment, fostering deep connections among students and supporting their academic and personal growth. Her class discussions focus on each student’s personal interpretation of classical Chinese literature, valuing their input and encouraging participation while developing critical thinking and deep engagement to the literary works.
Sara E. Gombash Lampe
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Neuroscience
College of Medicine
Sara E. Gombash Lampe is praised for her commitment to interactive and inclusive learning. Known for innovation, she transforms traditional lectures into interactive experiences, using team-based learning and peer teaching to boost student engagement. Her leadership in developing the online Graduate Certificate in Neuroscience and co-directing the Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp highlight her dedication to educational excellence and inspiring future scientists.
Andy May
Associate Professor
Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering
College of Engineering
Andy May is celebrated for his engaging and inclusive teaching style. He prioritizes real-world applications by focusing on projects, ensuring students gain practical experience. Known for his accessibility, May is accommodating to students' needs and fosters a welcoming classroom environment. His innovative approaches, like tie-dye Tuesdays or Fridays and group work surveys, make learning enjoyable and collaborative. May’s dedication to student success and his ability to simplify complex subjects have earned him high praise from both students and colleagues.
Tanya Nocera
Clinical Professor of Practice
Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME)
College of Engineering
Recognized for her student-centered teaching approach, Tanya Nocera was instrumental in creating and is director of the Medical Product Development master’s program. She was awarded the BME’s Herman R. Weed Excellence in Teaching Award in 2015, 2020 and 2024. In 2021, she received the College of Engineering’s Ralph L. Boyer Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Engineering Innovation Award. At the national level, she received the Biomedical Engineering Teaching Award from the American Society for Engineering Education in 2019.
Nikole Patson
Professor
Department of Psychology
College of Arts and Sciences
Nikole Patson is a transformative educator dedicated to training students to "think like scientists," recognizing that, while not all will pursue research careers, they must be equipped to critically assess scientific information in their daily lives. Recognized for her excellence in teaching, mentoring and community outreach, she received The Ohio State University at Marion Teaching Award in 2014, the Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in 2018, and the Program of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award in 2024. She is also a Fellow of the Psychonomic Society.
Colleen Garrity Settineri
Clinical Professor
Moritz College of Law
Known for her commitment to student success, Colleen Garrity Settineri’s weekly reviews simulating real-world scenarios help students deepen their understanding of course materials while building practical skills. She further enhances learning through in-person status updates, where students present their research to her as a “supervising attorney,” offering valuable hands-on exposure to legal dynamics. In addition to teaching, Settineri leads the College of Law’s Appellate Advocacy program and serves as faculty advisor for the Student Bar Association and Women's Legal Society.
Kristin K. Stover
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy
College of Medicine
Kristin K. Stover is dedicated to student success, creating an engaging and accessible learning environment, even in high-enrollment courses. She creates an open, inviting atmosphere throughout her lecture and lab teaching, offering personalized support and innovative tools like an anatomy board game to facilitate student learning in a fun and relaxed setting. With her door always open, Stover prioritizes her students, ensuring they comprehend course materials. In addition to her teaching, Stover serves as the director of undergraduate anatomy education.
Lindy L. Weaver
Clinical Associate Professor
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
College of Medicine
Lindy L. Weaver is widely recognized for her exceptional teaching, characterized by empathy, dedication and innovative methods. Students welcome her ability to create nonjudgmental, welcoming and adaptive environments while teaching difficult topics requiring introspection and vulnerability. A valuable mentor, she assists doctoral candidates through the rigorous capstone process. Weaver also directs the school’s academic affairs office, supporting new faculty members in adjusting to their teaching roles and promoting academic excellence.
Shirley L. Yu
Associate Professor
Department of Educational Studies
College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE)
Using evidence-based practices to create engaging, supportive and challenging courses in face-to-face, hybrid and online formats, Shirley L. Yu is recognized as an outstanding educator who has made a lasting impact on her students. Beyond the classroom, Yu is a generous mentor to students and alumni across EHE and beyond. She leads an active research laboratory and directs the Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching. Her expertise was also formally recognized with her college’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2018.
Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching recipients are recognized with a $5,000 honorarium made possible by gifts from The Ohio State University Alumni Association, University Advancement and the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA). In addition, OAA awards an increase of $1,200 to each recipient’s base salary. Members are also inducted into Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching.
Annually, a maximum of 10 faculty members are selected for the award in recognition of teaching excellence. Full-time Ohio State faculty members on all campuses with the rank of instructor through full professor in the clinical or tenure track who, in the past three years, have taught undergraduate and/or graduate/professional students are eligible for this award.