Biologist Named Distinguished Teaching Professor
Date: May 29, 2001
By: Chris Curran
Phone: (513) 556-1806
Photos by: Lisa Ventre
Archive: General News
The UC Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support the recommendation of a panel of emeriti professors to name biology professor Ralph Meyer the 2001 Distinguished Teaching Professor. Meyer is one of just nine UC faculty to hold the title.
It might be a sign of our advertising-heavy times, but junior Lana Mabjish probably summed up Meyer's effectiveness best when she said simply, "You get good value for your money," in his classes.
Many other colleagues, current students and former students went into greater detail in their letters of recommendation for the award.
Kristy Thacker, a senior and biology major, said she appreciates the way Meyer is available after class or whenever she needs some advice or assistance. "He's a friend and mentor to me. He's going to get off the phone [when I come to his office.] He's going to make time for me."
Former graduate student Fred Perrino is now an associate professor of biochemistry at Wake Forest. He wrote that his "…graduate experience taught me how to enjoy the often-difficult times one encounters in biomedical research. I am certain, had I not been exposed early in my career to the positive atmosphere provided in his laboratory I would likely be working in another area today."
Inside the classroom, student Eric Weinstein said the courses he took from Meyer were "informative and fun."
"Dr. Meyer's teaching style was upbeat and also intriguing. Instead of making us memorize volumes of information, Dr. Meyer made us learn by investigating problems on our own," wrote Weinstein.
Kristin Stanley went even further, stating, "It's professors like Dr. Meyer who make timid souls like myself actually consider becoming a teacher, if we can be the kind that Dr. Meyer represents."
Meyer's teaching philosophy is fairly simple:
respect each student as an individual
facilitate learning, not memorization
make the learning experience fun
Most important, Meyer puts the role of teaching first in his career, whether he's teaching biology or his other passion, French language and culture. As an adjunct professor in the department of Romance languages and literature, Meyer earns just as many accolades from students and colleagues alike.
"Ralph inspires not only students. He inspires friendships," wrote department head Lowanne Jones. "Ralph is not only a gifted teacher of the French language…He is also a model teacher capable of inspiring students to follow his lead, to imitate his careful nurturing, and to value teaching as a noble and praiseworthy profession."
Meyer is also the 1997 recipient of the Mrs. A.B. "Dolly" Cohen Award of Excellence in Teaching, one of many teaching awards he has received over the years. In the department of biological sciences, he has worked extensively to revise the curriculum, create new courses, and implement teaching innovations including multimedia and the web. In virtually every case, Meyer was on the leading edge.
"Years before it was popular, I was using writing across the curriculum in my courses. I used the Web as soon as it was available."
In addition to the traditional biological methods and concepts, Meyer works hard to bring the societal aspects of science into his courses. From special courses on the impact of AIDS and biotechnology to his upper-division molecular biology course, Meyer wants students to think about the implications of scientific research. And he wants them to leave his course instilled with a code of ethics.
As for grading, Meyer uses some unusual approaches. From team projects to take-home finals, he designs his assignments to demand investigation and critical thinking. And in the end, "I want them to get all 'As,' but I give them what they have earned."
A fair approach from an excellent instructor.
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