The Honors Student Council at Texas A&M University has selected Rodney Hill, professor of architecture, as a 2007 Wells Fargo Honors Faculty Mentor.

The award is the second honors program honor Hill has received this year. Last February, he was tapped to receive the 2006 - 2007 Texas A&M University Honors Program Teacher/Scholar Award, which came with a $2,000 stipend and a brand new Segway, the unique two-wheel “Personal Transporter.”
 
“I can't think of a more deserving candidate,” wrote Jonathan Kotinek, assistant director for honors programs at Texas A&M, in an e-mail notifying Hill of his honor. “As you might be aware, this award is administered by students and is a reflection of their esteem for you.”

The Honors Student Council solicits nominations from students actively participating in the honors community, vets the nominations, and then presents finalists for voting to all honors-eligible students.

“This year, for the first time in recent memory,” Kotinek wrote, “we there was a tie; you and  (English professor) Douglas Brooks will both be receiving recognition as 2007 Wells Fargo Honors Faculty Mentors.”

The purpose of the Wells Fargo Honors Faculty Mentor Award is to recognize and reward honors faculty members whose dedication and commitment to excellence in education is truly outstanding. Providing opportunities for students to develop academic and professional relationships with the very best faculty is a key principle in honors education.

Honors faculty members who win this award are those who distinguish themselves by extending the mentoring relationship beyond the confines of the classroom and meeting time. These faculty members encourage a spirit of inquiry in their students, are thoughtful teachers, and exhibit the strongest desire to train a new generation of thinkers and creators.

“Both recipients this year are classic examples of the service to the honors community, specifically students, that characterize past recipients,” wrote Kotinek. “Your participation in teaching honors courses, the Summer Honors Invitational Program, Pizza & Profs, and personal advising has been exemplary. More importantly,” he continued, “the students that we see participating in honors courses, national scholarship competitions, and graduating with honors who mention you as motivation for pushing themselves to engage the resources of the university and truly become scholars clearly illustrate why the honors student community value your guidance and support.”

Hill will receive the award and a stipend from the Honor Student Council at the 17th annual Honors Parents' Weekend Brunch.

Read related story:
http://archone.tamu.edu/college/news/
newsletters/spring2007/hillSegway.html