Carnegie Mellon News Online Edition: April 18, 2001: Daniel Resnick Earns H&SS Award
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Goin' Buggy!

CMRI Reorganizes

Graduate Programs Earn High Marks

Daniel Resnick Earns H&SS Award

Meeting of the Minds Scheduled for May 9

Carnegie Science Center Rewards Excellence

Kevin Lamb Heads Analytical Team

Obituaries:
Whitaker and Shull

Drama Presents Largest Stage Production Ever

$1.8 Million Given for New Software Center


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Daniel Resnick Earns H&SS Teaching Award; Cited for His Effect on Undergraduates

Daniel P. Resnick, professor of history and special assistant to the president, is this year's winner of the Elliott Dunlap Smith Award for Distinguished Teaching and Educational Service in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS).

H&SS Dean John Lehoczky said dedicated teaching, research and service characterize Resnick's 35-year career at the university. He said Resnick's nomination was a strong grass-roots effort of alumni, students, faculty and senior university administrators.

"He (Resnick) has distinguished himself for intellectual excellence in all of his educational endeavors, and for the intense caring about the well-being of undergraduates- inside the classroom and out, during and after their student years," Lehoczky said.

"His commitment to pedagogical innovation and the high standards he brings to his teaching-strong from the outset- remain as strong now as they were at the start of his Carnegie Mellon career."

Steven Schlossman, professor and head of the History Department, said student evaluations and comments regularly identify Resnick among the best and most dedicated teachers at the university.

The two main courses Resnick has taught during the last decade have been Introduction to History and Policy, and Educational Policy: Historical Perspectives. Schlossman said that Resnick's students indicate "he has transformed their entire perspective on public policy."

"What many learned in his classroom fundamentally changed career choices- as teachers in public and private schools, researchers in think tanks and lobby groups, and graduate students in doctoral and professional school programs," Schlossman said.

"Each of Dan's courses develops an extraordinary sense of shared purpose and camaraderie. All reflect careful planning with regard to curriculum and classroom dynamics, and in all he demonstrates a tireless commitment to the refinement of students' oral presentations and written work."

Resnick said he was indebted to those who supported his nomination. "It's a great honor to receive this award, and to join the roster of distinguished awardees from earlier years," Resnick said.

"I have a great debt to the students, colleagues and staff who wrote letters on my behalf. Even more, however, I want to express my respect for the unusual culture of Carnegie Mellon, which encourages hands-on learning and privileges the relationship of teachers and students."

In addition to his work at Carnegie Mellon, Resnick has supported many educational reform movements. His published works cover educational policy, the Bell Curve, IQ, literacy, educational standards and accountability, among other topics. He consults for the Educational Testing Service and supports the Teach for America program.

His work off campus reveals that "he is an educator devoted to improving education for the community around him," Schlossman said.

After earning his doctor's degree in 1962 at Harvard University, Resnick joined the History Department faculty in 1966 as an assistant professor. He became an associate professor in 1968 and gained full professor status in 1972.

In 1997, Resnick succeeded Physics Pro-fessor John Fetkovich as special assistant to President Jared L. Cohon. His primary duty is as chief liaison between advisory boards and academic and non-academic units under review.

The H&SS teaching award is named in memory of Elliott Dunlap Smith, the university's first provost.

Teresa Sokol Thomas
04/18/01


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