The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named former TCU doctoral student Greg Sherman the 2012 Texas Professor of the Year. Sherman received a Ph.D. in physics from TCU in 2004.

The Professor of the Year program launched in 1981 and is the only national program that recognizes excellent undergraduate teaching and mentoring. All undergraduate professors in the United States from any type of undergraduate institution are eligible for the award. Entries are judged by top U.S. educators and other active participants in education.

“Greg's dedication to teaching is well known both at TCU and in the Texas physics teaching community, and we congratulate him on this recognition,” said William Graham, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at TCU. “He is eminently deserving of the award and the Physics and Astronomy Department is proud to call him one of our own.”

The award was officially announced on Nov. 15. According to the U.S. Professor of the Year website, criteria for winning the award includes “impact on and involvement with undergraduate students; scholarly approach to teaching and learning; support from colleagues and former undergraduate students; and contribution to undergraduate education in the institution, community and profession.” Sherman accepted the award at a ceremony in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club. CASE and Carnegie also honored Sherman at a Congressional reception at the Folger Shakespeare Library on Capitol Hill.

“Greg was a stunning success when he served as an adjunct professor at TCU teaching the physics of sound and music course, filling in for a faculty member on sabbatical,” Graham said. “As a graduate student he served as a teaching assistant in undergraduate labs and was well known among physics students and faculty alike for his very capable teaching and excellent rapport with students. He was an early recipient of the Dean's Graduate Teaching Award.”

Sherman received a master’s degree in physics in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree in physics in 1995 from Stephen F. Austin State University. He currently teaches undergraduate physics courses at Collin College.

To learn more about Professor of the Year awards, visit the website.