Three faculty members in animal science, English and psychology were recognized this week for remarkable teaching abilities by their colleagues at the University of California, Davis. Receiving Distinguished Teaching Awards from the campus division of the Academic Senate were Thomas Adams, a professor of animal science; Patricia Moran, a professor of English; and Dean Simonton, a professor of psychology. The awards, established in 1973, are given annually during the spring quarter to as many as four faculty members. The honor carries monetary awards for the recipients and for their academic departments. ***** Students say that watching Tom Adams teach his "flagship" course, Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, is like watching an octopus draw impeccable diagrams with a different colored chalk in each of his eight hands. During his 19 years as a UC Davis faculty member, Adams has gained a reputation not only for colorful and meticulous chalkboard illustrations, but also for his patient explanations, helpful and caring attitude, and enthusiasm for his subject matter. One student recalls that her academic and career plans were quite set in stone until she enrolled in Adams' course on the physiology of the endocrine glands. "My future plans changed the day I set foot into his class. I became addicted to the physiologic relevance and excitement of endocrinology and have since committed my doctoral research to the study of reproductive physiology," she said. Adams teaches courses in reproductive physiology to students interested in a variety of fields including medicine and veterinary medicine. His teaching is enhanced by his research program, which focuses on reproductive issues of livestock. He is known not only for mentoring his own graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, but also for offering assistance to undergraduates and graduate students from other disciplines. Asked for an example of good teaching, one graduate student simply said: "Spend one hour in a class taught by Professor Tom Adams. He defines teaching at its best." ***** English professor Patricia Moran teaches an especially heavy and diverse course load. She routinely teaches Masterpieces of English Literature, 20th Century British Literature, The Short Story, and Problems in English Literature. And since 1995, she has also taught Problems in Critical Theory; Introductory Criticism; 20th Century British Novel; Literature by Women; 20th Century British Literature; Literature, Sexuality and Gender; and Teaching Assistant Training Practice. As one of her colleagues says, "just reading this list is exhausting enough." But Moran goes beyond just merely getting through her lengthy list of classes. She excels at making sure students understand class material, taking time to work individually with students, say her colleagues. They describe her as a professor who demands that students understand in depth, and who facilitates that understanding by her clarity in presentation. Her students note her outstanding qualities in their evaluations. For example, one former student describes Moran "as an exceptional educator whose passion for literature is infectious. ... what I've achieved could not have been possible without Professor Moran's encouragement to believe in myself and to rise to life's challenges." And for those who are considering pursuing academic positions, Moran also inspires. "What struck me most about Professor Moran was her overall commitment to teaching. She was absolutely invested in making sure that her undergraduates received top-notch instruction in both the course material and essay-writing skills. As her teaching assistant... I can honestly say I learned as much as the students did." Her colleagues describe Moran as "a dedicated educator, a challenging instructor, and an outstanding mentor to all seeking help." ***** Somewhat like the geniuses he studies, psychology professor Dean Keith Simonton is passionate about his life's endeavor: teaching, and teaching well. After he received the 1994 UC Davis Prize for Teaching and Scholarly Achievement, he talked about his strict regimen of preparation for teaching each day: he reviews lecture notes before going to sleep and again first thing in the morning, he selects a T-shirt from his wardrobe of 128 illustrated with the faces, quotes or artwork of the famous. The shirts correspond in some way with the day's lecture topic. He memorizes his students' names ("my upper limit is 150 students' names a quarter"). He routinely involves undergraduate students in his research projects. Students have described Simonton as one of their favorite professors on campus. One student says Simonton's "competence, energy and accessibility all combine to make being a student in one of his classes a unique and energizing experience.... I also looked forward to his lectures because he was always organized, clear, enthusiastic and was able to accommodate students' questions into the class discussion -- traits that make Simonton one of the most outstanding teachers I know." His colleagues who nominated him for the Distinguished Teaching Award remark that this honor is something akin to awarding a master's degree after a Ph.D. in the same field. They note that he already has received the teaching prize, the Magnar Ronning Award for Teaching Excellence and was nominated for U.S. Professor of the Year. In describing his utter dedication to teaching, his colleagues cite the following anecdote from English professor Peter Dale: "In 1994, Professor Simonton received the highest recognition for teaching and scholarship this campus has to offer, the UC Davis Prize. It carries with it perhaps the highest stipend of any university prize for teaching in the country... I can think of no stronger testimony to Simonton's absolute devotion to teaching than to note that within weeks of receiving that prize, he was in my office asking how he might use the money to enhance undergraduate education on campus."