Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award winner Mikio Akagi teaches, in a word, thinking. More specifically, he aims to teach his students to think well.
“A lot of my students will be in situations where they suddenly have to think through an unfamiliar topic and try to do it gracefully and in a sophisticated way,” explained the assistant professor of the history and philosophy of science in the John V. Roach Honors College. “Courses like mine hopefully give them some experience and practice with that kind of thinking.”
Previously given through the Neeley School of Business, the award made a university-wide debut in 2021.
“I am honored to present the Maryrose Short Teaching Excellence Award for the first time at Convocation,” said Provost Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg. “This award was provided by the generosity of Dr. Dan Short, former Dean of the Neeley School of Business, in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short, to establish a faculty award for teaching excellence within the university.”
Akagi’s nominators say he embodies teaching excellence.
“Dr. Akagi is an exemplary teacher/scholar whose big brain courses never fail to excite and expand students’ minds,” reads his nomination letter. “Dr. Akagi possesses a unique talent for translating his philosophical training into creative courses accessible and relevant to students from all majors.”
The Maryrose Short Award is specifically focused on exceptional untenured, full-time faculty members, including non-tenure track faculty with five years or less at TCU. Nominations from colleges and schools are submitted to academic deans who select the top three to submit to the provost for final selection. The winner receives $6,000 with the stipulation that $1,000 be used for a professional development activity.