KU senior class selects H.O.P.E. Award nominees; vote for finalists Nov. 11

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas senior class has selected 20 faculty members as nominees for the annual Honor for an Outstanding Progressive Educator award, the only KU honor bestowed exclusively by students for teaching excellence.

The senior class will vote Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Strong Hall to reduce the finalists to six or eight who will be interviewed by the Senior Board of Class Officers and Senior Advisory Board. The finalists and winner will be announced at the Nov. 22. KU-Iowa State football game.

The Class of 1959 established the award to recognize the recipient's outstanding teaching and concern for students. Senior classes have given 45 H.O.P.E. awards. The winner receives a monetary award and recognition on a permanent plaque in the Kansas Union. The nominees are:

 • Cynthia Akagi, assistant professor of health sports and exercise science
 • G. Douglas Atkins, professor of English
 • Timothy Bengtson, associate professor of journalism
 • Christopher Brown, assistant professor of environmental studies and geography
 • Byron Caminero-Santangelo, associate professor of English
 • Robert Carlson, professor of chemistry
 • Steve Evans, English lecturer
 • Ivan Fortushniak, assistant professor of art
 • Diane Fourny, associate professor of French and Italian
 • Chico Herbison, African/African American studies instructor
 • Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of psychology
 • Jeffrey Lang, professor of mathematics
 • Tom Lewin, associate professor and chair of history
 • Denise Linville, assistant professor of journalism
 • Donita Massengill, assistant professor of teaching and leadership
 • Alee Phillips, business lecturer
 • Marvin Pratt, business lecturer
 • Richard Snyder, M. Erik Wright distinguished professor in clinical psychology
 • Max Utsler, associate professor of journalism
 • Tom Volek, associate professor of journalism
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