Two faculty members from the Cockrell School will receive the 2016 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards, the highest teaching honor bestowed by the University of Texas System Board of Regents. It is one of the nation’s largest monetary teaching recognition programs in higher education, honoring outstanding performance in the classroom and dedication to innovation in undergraduate instruction.

In total, 11 faculty members from The University of Texas at Austin will receive the award, which honors outstanding performance in the classroom and dedication to innovation in undergraduate instruction.

Each honoree will receive $25,000 and be recognized at the ceremony Aug. 24 at the JW Marriott in Austin.

“I am extremely proud of our faculty members recognized by the regents for their commitment to excellence in teaching,” said Judith Langlois, executive vice president and provost at UT Austin. “Our faculty challenge, inspire and motivate their students on a daily basis. These faculty members deserve recognition for their dedication to educating the leaders of tomorrow.”  

The 2016 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards recipients from the Cockrell School are:

  • Philip Varghese, professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics
  • Richard Corsi, professor in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Established in 2008, the Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards program recognizes educators who deliver the highest quality of instruction in the classroom, the laboratory, the field or online.

Faculty members undergo a series of rigorous evaluations by students, peer faculty members and external reviewers. The review panels consider a range of activities and other criteria in their evaluations including outstanding teaching, mentoring, personal commitment to students and motivating students in the classroom.

“UT educators provide invaluable mentorship and deliver high-quality instruction and innovation while enhancing the minds of the nation’s next leaders. Their deep commitment to outstanding education ensures student success across the System,” Chairman Paul L. Foster said. “The Board of Regents is honored to recognize our dedicated faculty members through the ROTA program.”