Rice University’s 2026 University Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Center for Teaching Excellence, brought together faculty, students and academic leaders to celebrate one central idea: Great teaching transforms lives. The event highlighted not only outstanding educators but also the broader culture of mentorship, innovation and community that defines the university.
A commitment to transformative teaching
Opening the ceremony, CTE leaders emphasized Rice’s mission to champion exceptional teaching and evidence-informed practices. Over the past year, the center expanded its impact significantly, engaging 678 participants across 138 programs and 137 consultations. The numbers signal a growing commitment to pedagogical innovation and student success.
Provost Amy Dittmar, during her remarks, underscored that teaching goes far beyond delivering content. It is about sparking curiosity, building confidence and encouraging students to explore ideas deeply. This philosophy set the tone for recognizing educators whose influence extends well beyond the classroom.
A spotlight on transformational educators
One of the ceremony’s highlights was the recognition of Kasey Leigh Yearty, recipient of last year’s George R. Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her reflections captured the heart of teaching: not as a one-way transfer of knowledge but as a shared journey of growth.
Through stories spanning her years at Rice, Yearty illustrated how students shaped her teaching philosophy — teaching her the value of humility, empathy and resilience. From navigating pandemic-era classrooms to mentoring students through personal challenges, her message was clear: Education is as much about human connection as it is about academic rigor.
Recognizing excellence across all levels
The awards honored achievements across the academic spectrum, from undergraduate instructors to senior faculty. Notable recognitions included:
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Student-taught course awards: Ava Thienel and Katherine De Paz
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Graduate teaching awards: Arya Muralidharan, Logan Buffa, Lynne Lee and Emily Lampert
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School-level teaching honors:
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Daniel Cohen (Glasscock School of Continuing Studies)
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Geoff Wehmeyer (George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing)
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Margarita Castroman (School of Humanities and Arts)
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Krista Kobylianskii (Wiess School of Natural Sciences)
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Jeremy Fiel and Steven Rackley (School of Social Sciences)
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At the university level, awards celebrated not only teaching but also leadership, research and mentorship. Highlights included:
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Faculty excellence awards: Fay Yarbrough, Elaine Ecklund, Douglas Natelson and Michael Wong
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Mentorship awards: Jamie Padgett and James Weston
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Doctoral adviser: Marcia O’Malley
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Early career and faculty achievement awards: Haotian Wang and Ragini Tharoor Srinivasan
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Outstanding faculty achievement: Jonathan Ajo-Franklin and Todd Treangen
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Exceptional scholar awards: Lydia Kavraki and Timothy Morton
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Marjorie Corcoran Award: Carrie Masiello and Shelly Harvey
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Jack Gill Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Excellence: Naomi Halas
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Sophia Meyer Farb Prize for Teaching: Thimo Heisenberg
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Charles W. Duncan Jr. Achievement Award for Outstanding Faculty: Han Xiao and Rossella Calvi
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Trenton W. Wann Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship: Jamie Catanese
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Nicolas Salgo Outstanding Teaching Award: Sandy Parsons
The pinnacle of teaching recognition
The prestigious George R. Brown Awards for Superior Teaching honored multiple faculty members across disciplines. The highest distinction, the George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching, went to Rebecca Schreib , reflecting outstanding impact as measured by alumni recognition.
More than awards: A culture of impact
Beyond the accolades, the ceremony reinforced a powerful message: Teaching at Rice is deeply human work. Whether through mentoring, research integration or community outreach, faculty are shaping not only students’ academic success but also their personal growth and future contributions to society.
As the speakers mentioned, the true measure of teaching is not what happens in the classroom alone but how it influences lives long after graduation. The award recipients exemplify this ideal and demonstrate that excellence in education is both a craft and a calling.