TCU is proud to announce the 2024 winners of significant university awards for scholarship, mentoring and teaching: the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, the Wassenich Award for Mentoring, and the Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence.
The winners of these prestigious honors were recognized at recent dedicated events.
Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement
The winner of the Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement as a Creative Teacher and Scholar is Matt Chumchal, professor of biology and director of the Pre-Health Professions Institute.
Under his leadership, the Pre-Health Professions Institute has achieved the highest medical school acceptance rate since 1992. He is known for guiding students through professional development and intrapersonal skills to allow students to excel. Chumchal mentors 12 undergraduate and graduate students in research annually and repeatedly assists students in applying for professional schools.
“I remember walking into Dr. Chumchal’s office panicking about what I was going to do with my life,” shared one student. “He quickly erased his entire whiteboard to make a Venn diagram of all my interests to identify when they intersect professionally.”
The Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement recognizes extraordinary creative teaching and scholarship, and the winner receives $25,000. Nominations are submitted to academic deans who provide recommendations to the chancellor. Finalists were recognized at the Welcome & Opening Luncheon and each receive $2,500.
Wassenich Award
The winner of the Wassenich Award for Mentoring in the TCU Community is Susan Staples, associate professor of mathematics and actuarial program director in the College of Science & Engineering.
In her role, she assists students with securing internships and employment, supports the effort of student scholarship, helps advise course selection, sponsors student clubs, coordinates speaker series and career fairs and more. Her work as a mentor is touted by students, as well as parents, colleagues and alumni.
“Now as a working professional, I often have to mentor and guide others,” wrote a graduate. “When I do this, I often think about how Dr. Staples made me feel: supported, capable and seen. This is how I strive to make others feel. I aspire to meet them where they are, coach them and give them the tools they need to succeed.” A coworker added, “Beyond helping students, Dr. Staples is a constant resource and mentor for colleagues, including me.”
This award was established by Mark and Linda Wassenich to celebrate TCU’s defining characteristic of mentoring for many generations. Alumni and students may nominate faculty and staff members who serve as role models, advisors and guides to students. Finalists receive $750 and were acknowledged at the opening luncheon. The winner is chosen from a committee of primarily faculty and staff and receives $3,000.
Maryrose and Dan Short Award
The winner of the Maryrose and Dan Short Award for Teaching Excellence is Ashley Palmer, assistant professor of social work in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
“Her relationship-centered approach created a trauma-informed learning space for the students,” wrote a colleague who observed her social welfare policy class. “In the course of my 80-minute observation, Dr. Palmer expertly and creatively used a variety of teaching strategies, such as discussion questions, pair and share, and videos to deepen students’ understanding of taxes.”
Palmer is known to activate online discussions outside of class, be welcoming to diverse viewpoints and determine a course grade through a final meeting and discussion with each student.
The Maryrose and Dan Short Award recognizes excellence in teaching and is specifically focused on exceptional untenured (tenure-track or non-tenure track), full-time faculty members with five years or less at TCU. Nominations from colleges and schools are submitted to academic deans who select the top candidates to submit to the provost for final selection. This award was established by the late Dan Short, former dean of the Neeley School of Business, in memory of his wife, Maryrose Short. Part of the $6,000 award is to be used for professional development. The finalists were recognized at the opening luncheon.