RC Director Charlie Bright receives Arthur F. Thurnau professorship

RC Director Charlie Bright was honored with an Arthur F. Thurnau professorship at Thursday's meeting of the University of Michigan's Regents. The award recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contribtions to undegraduate education.

In addition to directing the RC, Charlie has developed and taught a wide range of courses -- including History and Theory of Punishment and Contemporary Social Theory. He also co-founded the Semester in Detroit program, currently in its first year.

From The Record, February 20, 2009:

Five faculty members have been honored for outstanding contributions to undergraduate education as this year's recipients of Arthur F. Thurnau professorships. The appointments, approved Feb. 19 by the Board of Regents, are titles the five will retain throughout their careers at the University.

Bright, professor of history, professor in the Residential College (RC) and director of the RC, LSA, is described as a teacher who has changed the lives of his students through his dedication to community engagement. He “grasps axiomatically that this world around us has become ever more complexly diverse,” a colleague says, and encourages students to critically engage that world through a variety of unique experiences. Bright co-founded the Semester in Detroit program that places students in internships with Detroit organizations, has created several new undergraduate courses and two undergraduate minors, and recently directed LSA’s Citizenship Theme Year.

Each year Thurnau Professorships recognize and reward a select group of tenured faculty members for their outstanding contributions to undergraduate education. Criteria for the award include a strong commitment to students and to teaching and learning, excellence in teaching, innovation in teaching and learning, a strong commitment to working effectively with a diverse student body, and a demonstrable impact on students’ intellectual and/or artistic development.

The professorships are named after alumnus Arthur F. Thurnau and supported by the Thurnau Charitable Trust, which was established through his will. Recipients receive $20,000 to support teaching activities, including travel, books, equipment and graduate student support.

Posted on 20 Feb 09 by Ann Brennan