Excellence in Teaching is bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in the classroom.
Becky DeBolt
Becky is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her DVM degree at North Carolina State University. Before joining UT, she worked in private practice and in animal shelters. At the UTCVM she teaches Shelter Medicine, particularly spay and neuter surgeries, for veterinary students on their clinical rotations. She has taught numerous students the surgical skills and instilled the confidence they need to combat pet overpopulation locally and globally.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Vol means collaborating with UT and community partners to understand and meet community needs locally and globally. UT has empowered me to take the classroom into the community where our team models and shares these values with students who will extend the impact far beyond our region. Through animal shelter work, spay and neuter services, and pet wellness clinics, students learn valuable technical and interpersonal skills while working with diverse populations.”
Alex Feldt
Alex Feldt is a Distinguished Lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, which he joined in 2012. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma, and an MLitt from the University of Glasgow. He teaches an array of courses across the department’s ethics and political philosophy curriculum and is passionate about sharing the value philosophy can bring to our everyday lives and its importance in a democratic society. Beyond UT, he works with the National High School Ethics Bowl.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer means working to use one’s energy and passion to make a positive impact in the world and help others find similar opportunities for themselves. This also means that being a Volunteer is being part of a community that is working together for this greater purpose. UT provides constant opportunities for this through the diverse array of interactions and conversations I have with my students and colleagues, paired with support for continual personal and pedagogical development.”
Annachiara Mariani
Annachiara Mariani is an Associate Professor of Italian at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She has authored a book on the Grotesque Theatre and Pirandello and edited the volume Paolo Sorrentino’s Cinema and Television for The University of Chicago Press. She has published several articles on literature and media for, among others, Cambridge University Press, The Johns Hopkins University Press, The University of Toronto Press, Rutgers University Press and the University of Bologna press.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer holds profound meaning for me. It has not only allowed me to contribute to the academic and personal growth of our students but has also challenged me to grow as an educator, researcher, and community member. It has empowered me to make a difference in ways I hadn’t imagined possible, shaping me into a more effective and compassionate educator and individual. It has enabled me to participate in community service projects that have a direct impact on our local and global community.”
Michael Ross
Mike Ross is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Sciences’ Sustainable Landscape Design concentration and in the School of Landscape Architecture. Mike translates ecological systems and relationships into design and management strategies, particularly in management applications of time and systems interaction as design. Mike’s research focuses on the intersection of ecology and urbanism with emphasis on biodiversity, ecosystem services, & green infrastructure.
What does being a Volunteer mean to you? How has UT empowered you to make a difference in a way you might not have imagined elsewhere?
“Being a Volunteer is not just a phrase or a nickname, it’s a core value. It permeates everything my students, colleagues, and I do. There is a genuine sense of service to the people of Tennessee and our global community that informs our work. Whether design interventions, community engagement, or academic output my students and I give our all. I can say with all sincerity, that this culture is unique and the selfless nature of the volunteer creed is a daily reminder of the value of our efforts.”