The Warren I. Susman Award for Excellence in Teaching is the university’s highest honor for excellence in the classroom. It honors the memory of a prominent cultural historian and popular teacher, and includes a citation and a check for $1,000.

Marlene K. Rankin, clinical associate professor, College of Nursing, Newark, was honored for her significant contributions to nursing education; in particular, her leadership in the development of the undergraduate honors program, and her inspirational teaching and mentoring that have guided and shaped the careers of so many students.

E. Roger Cowley, professor of physics, Camden, was honored for his contributions to undergraduate education in physics, his ability to communicate clearly the complexity and beauty of the subject to all students and to encourage them to be independent thinkers.

Paul G. E. Clemens, professor of history, New Brunswick, was recognized for his contributions to undergraduate and graduate education in the field of American history. He also was honored for his efforts to improve the quality of undergraduate and graduate education, and his ability to make history accessible while challenging students to think deeply and analyze issues thoroughly.

The Rutgers Faculty Scholar-Teacher Award honors outstanding contributions to research and teaching. It includes a citation and a check for $1,000.

Angela M. O’Donnell, professor of educational psychology, Graduate School of Education, New Brunswick, was honored for her contributions to the literature on teaching and learning and her inspirational, creative, and demanding teaching that helps students develop the tools they need to conduct research addressing important issues.

Michael R. Greenberg, professor, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and director of the National Center for Neighborhood & Brownfield Research, was honored for his scholarship in urbanization, industrialization, and environmental health policy, and his ability to integrate his research and teaching to stimulate classroom discussion and motivate students to think independently.

Kimberly DaCosta Holton, associate professor of classical and modern languages and literatures, Newark, was recognized for her research on performance culture and memory in native and immigrant cultures, and her ability to engage students and create a vibrant classroom environment that encourages collaborative learning.

The Ernest E. McMahon Class of 1930 Award honors the memory of a former dean of University College. It honors outstanding efforts to extend the mission and educational resources of Rutgers to the people of the state. The award includes a citation and a $1,000 check.

Karen Novick, associate dean and director, professional development studies, School of Communication, Information and Library Studies, was honored for her pioneering work in creating and delivering web-based courses at Rutgers, her ambitious and successful grantsmanship, and her continued creative and visionary work in providing first-rate support of continuing education for school librarians throughout New Jersey.

Maurice J. Elias, professor of psychology, New Brunswick, was honored for his community-based action research programs; his leadership in developing social-emotional learning and character education, which provides children with positive skills to deal with conflict and to guide their lives; his involvement in curriculum development with the Plainfield school system establishing a program that builds student skills; and his work building a safe environment that supports positive school performance.