The Department of Philosophy is pleased to announce that Andrew Smith is the winner of this year's Distinguished Graduate Student Teaching Award. This award is bestowed annually on the department’s best graduate student instructor. Decisions are based on student evaluations, faculty observations, and any other evidence that a graduate student has exceeded normal expectations in terms of effort and innovation. The Prizes and Scholarships Committee announces the award in an open letter to the department, which describes what makes the graduate student's teaching exceptional. 

The award committee noted that “Andrew is a careful and thoughtful lecturer” who presents “difficult material at a pace and a level that is accessible to his audience.” The committee also commended him for creating courses that are “well-designed, evolving, and reflective.” Smith has a long history of teaching excellence and has made the list of teachers ranked excellent many times. He was even ranked as outstanding when he was a TA for PHIL 104. Smith is also a mentor to undergraduate students in the department and is currently serving as our academic advisor. 

Please join us in recognizing his service to the department, along with other faculty and graduate student winners of this year's awards.