Dr. Steven G. Northrup of Longmeadow has been named the winner of this year’s Teaching Excellence Award at Western New England University. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Linda Jones made the announcement on May 4. Northrup is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the University’s College of Engineering.
Dr. Northrup earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Before attending Vanderbilt, he worked in the defense industry in Whites Sands, NM and in the automotive electronics industry designing climate control systems for Ford Motor Company. At Western New England University, he teaches Intro to Engineering, Circuits I & II, Senior Lab, and Embedded Controls courses. His research interests are robotics, embedded control systems, and teaching methodologies and effectiveness.
Northrup invokes three class rules in his teaching; pay attention, think, and execute the fundamentals soundly. “It turns out,” says Northrup, “that if you pay attention and think, you will actually learn more deeply and efficiently.” Northrup believes in a student centered educational process where students interact and help each other learn the material. He is committed to creative course development and instructional support. Additionally, he works with students outside the classroom offering workshops for graduating seniors to help them with financial literacy. “It’s important to me to prepare my students for the rigors of the work environment, but it’s equally important to prepare them for life,” says Northrup.
Winners of the prestigious Teaching Excellence Award are nominated by students, faculty, and administrators for their outstanding contributions as educators and advisors. A committee, comprised of current students, alumni, and faculty, oversee the nominations review.
For a list of past Teaching Excellence award winners visit http://www1.wne.edu/center-for-teaching-and-learning/excellence-in-teaching-award.cfm.
