Peter Copeland

A PASSION FOR HIS RESEARCH SPARKS A PASSION FOR TEACHING

Some can teach geology. Few can rev up 200 undergraduates into a class of engaged future geologists. Peter Copeland can. He is being honored with the Teaching Excellence Award for teaching in the core curriculum.

An associate professor in the Department of Geosciences, Copeland brought his passion for his work into the classroom.

“I thought Physical Geology was going to be very tedious, but it was one of the most interesting classes I have ever taken,” Nohemi Garcia, a former student wrote in her letter of support.

Copeland aims to instill critical thinking skills to his students and to encourage them to question everything, even him.

“The first time a former undergraduate student taught me something about the Earth was very gratifying. I never get tired of it,” said Copeland.

The award provides $5,000 and a trophy to faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching a core curriculum course.

Marisa Ramirez
Staff writer