10/10/96 Contact: Nicholas Dinos, Ohio University, 614/593-1494
ATHENS, Ohio -- Nicholas Dinos, professor of chemical engineering at Ohio University, was named the 1996 Ohio Professor of the Year on Thursday (Oct. 10) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He is the first Ohio University faculty member ever to receive the award.
Professor of the Year awards recognize extraordinary dedication to undergraduate teaching demonstrated by impact on and involvement with undergraduate students; scholarly approach to teaching; service to undergraduates, the institution, the community and the profession; and support from colleagues and current and former students. The award program has been administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) since 1981, and has been named after the Carnegie Foundation since 1994.
Dinos was selected from a pool of 25 nominees from 21 institutions in Ohio. Nationwide, 585 faculty from 451 institutions were nominated for 49 state awards and four national teaching awards.
Dinos, an Athens campus faculty member since 1967, has received several university awards for his teaching. He is a three-time recipient of the University Professor Award for outstanding undergraduate teaching, in 1975, 1991 and this academic year. He also received the Ohio University Class of 1950 Alumni Teaching Award recognizing career and current teaching excellence in 1995, and the Russ Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award for 1990 in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
Of the Ohio Professor of the Year Award, Dinos said, "You can't get an award like this if the institution hasn't given you respect and the resources you need. This does not occur in a vacuum. To achieve something like this, I needed deans, presidents, faculty, and an army of students, all of whom have been so supportive."
Dinos said he sees the award "as a life achievement type of award," and attributes his selection to his extensive involvement with the development of the university's general education program in the late 1970s and his ongoing commitment to students.
When he won the University Professor award for this academic year, Dinos said, "I define myself as a teacher. There's nothing better than for students to say they agree. I do love this material I teach. Maybe some of that comes through."
Dinos also said he believes students enjoy stories he tells in class about his days as an engineer with DuPont, and noted he annually changes the design of his courses, even if course material remains the same.
Dinos was an engineer in the Atomic Energy Division of DuPont for nine years before joining the Ohio University faculty. He earned his bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University, and his master's degree and Ph.D. from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Trustee Professor of Philosophy and former Provost David Stewart and University College Dean Patricia Richard worked together in nominating Dinos for the award.
"What is so obvious in Professor Dinos' teaching career is his concern for students, and his genuine care for their success. I think this award is a fitting tribute to a long and highly successful career in university teaching," Stewart said. "What also pleases me about the award is not only the personal tribute to Professor Dinos, but that it provides eloquent testimony to the fact that at Ohio University, excellent research and excellent teaching both thrive."
Richard noted Dinos' contributions to curriculum development, his formal and informal advising and mentoring, and his "outstanding performance in classes of all types."
"I am enormously pleased to see Nick gain this so richly deserved recognition," Richard said. "He is a true teacher, with genuine curiosity and interest, much knowledge and little ego, engaged with heart and mind."
Student comments accompanying the nomination also spoke to Dinos' impact on students. The remarks included the following statements from students: "In many ways he has never stopped being a student, and as such loves to share the joy of learning with every student he can"; "Ethics, pride and responsibility are attributes that can only be taught by example"; "Nick Dinos is visionary."
During the selection process, CASE assembles a preliminary judging panel of deans, professors, education writers, and government, foundation and association representatives, which selects 100 semifinalists and some state winners. A second panel determines 30 finalists and additional state winners. The Carnegie Foundation convenes a final panel of education association and campus representatives, a student and a former Professor of the Year, which selects the national U.S. Professors of the Year in four categories and the remainder of the state winners.
As Ohio Professor of the Year, Dinos will receive a $1,000 cash award. The Chrysler Corp. Fund supports the Ohio program.