Oregon State University kicked off the new academic year with University Day, an event which reunites campus colleagues, provides informative and fun activities, and recognizes faculty and staff for their exemplary efforts and achievements.
David Hurwitz, associate professor of transportation engineering received the OSU Faculty Teaching Excellence Award, which honors unusually significant and meritorious achievement in teaching and scholarship that enhances effective instruction.
“There are many faculty members at Oregon State University who epitomize teaching excellence in the classroom,” said Hurwitz. “I am genuinely humbled to be recognized as one among many.”
Hurwitz received the award in recognition of his use of current research in engineering education to improve classroom instruction, his unique and innovative technical courses, and his use of state-of-the-art research equipment – including the Driving and Bicycling Simulator – in the classroom. Students use the driving simulator to study driver responses to a wide range of situations and conditions. Since the simulator is one of only a small few of its kind in the U.S., Hurwitz’ students have unique abilities to connect road and signal design and traffic conditions to traffic safety and efficiency.
A colleague said, “Dr. Hurwitz’s enthusiasm for transportation engineering is contagious. He actively engages all the students in a lively and active classroom. He doesn’t lecture he teaches! He is truly a master teacher. But more than that he is a role model for graduate students who aspire to be educators. Dr. Hurwitz is mentoring Ph.D. students who will be the next generation of professors in the U.S. and abroad.”
A former student added, “To me, Dr. Hurwitz has been more than a teacher or an adviser, he has been a role model. I had always been interested in pursuing a teaching position but it was only after I met Dr. Hurwitz that I firmly decided to be a teacher. His passion for teaching, his enthusiasm for dealing with students and his capabilities and skills in delivering materials at the highest quality, made me want to follow him in every single step.”
Earlier in 2018, Hurwitz received the Sponsored Student Organization Advisor of the Year award for his work advising the OSU ITE Student Chapter. The award recognizes faculty and staff who take extra time to ensure their respective club/organization has success and develops a team atmosphere.
Congratulations, David Hurwitz and thank you for your dedication and many contributions to student success at Oregon State.
