Let’s get right to it! The winner of the 1988 Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching is John Michael Lammert.
As many of you know, this award honors the administration, scholarship and teaching of one of the college’s great presidents, Dr. Edgar M. Carlson.
John was born in Florence, Alabama, on the Tennessee River in the northwest corner of the state. He received his B.A. (major in mathematics) and his M.A. (biology) from Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, then pressed on with graduate study earning his Ph.D. in 1975 in the department of microbiology, University of Illinois, at its medical center in Chicago.
He began his non-graduate school teaching at Miami University in Ohio, where he taught courses like Bacteria and the Diseases of Man, The Microbial World, and Experimenting with Microbes, these mostly for nonmajors. He was responsible for other courses, too, including graduate level stuff: Immuniological Research Methods, Immunogenetics, and Molecular Immunology. He must have been an effective teacher there, because students in their course evaluations gave John 3.8s, 3.9s and even a perfect 4 out of a possible
He brought that professional expertise and those teaching gifts to Gustavus in 1982 when he joined the department of biology where he teaches Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology and, at least this spring term, the large lecture sections in General Biology II.
But the “Edgar” is an award for teaching, not academic background or job description. Of his teaching, here is what the students said:
“Dr. Lammert’s classes are always fun to attend because he is a very dynamic and interesting lecturer who draws your attention because of his enthusiasm for his subject.”
“One of the most enthusiastic and creative teachers I have ever had.” “Loves what he’s teaching and gets students involved in the lectures.”
But enthusiasm alone will usually not carry the day (as we will no doubt be made painfully aware as we move toward the second Tuesday in November). There’s more to John than enthusiasm. Here again is what the students said:
“While listening to him explain what could be monotonous, it becomes exciting and fascinating.” “He inspires students to learn complicated material.”
“Uses homemade models to demonstrate and help us visualize the workings of genetics and the cell.” “Makes people believe in themselves.”
“An effective lecturer and a tough professor.”
“Through his teaching, even the most difficult concepts became clear.”
And finally this one: “Although those students who know John see that he walks above their level, Dr. Lammert really understands how to bring the material down to the students’ level of understanding.”
But at this place, enthusiasm and creative, dedicated teaching are often not enough. Here once again is what the students said:
“Cares individually for students, provides guidance and friendship.”
“Makes an effort to get to know students – even the names of those in the large, 200-plus lecture sections.”
“Takes time for students.”
“Meets with students before exams in special sessions.” “Helps with career dilemmas and personal problems.”
By the way, this sort of thing goes way beyond that tired cliché, in loco parentis. It has to do with neighborliness, unselfishness and the helpful sharing of time. John thinks of this as part of teaching.
So, John -for enthusiasm, gifted teaching, respect and concern for students -in short for distinguished teaching, we all honor you and congratulate you today.
Presented by Robert T. Moline
Professor of Geography
1987 Recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award
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