Dr. Ben Burlingham Receives the 2025 Kathy O. Smith Morley Career Distinguished Teaching Award, Instructional Faculty

Dr. Ben Burlingham, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, has been recognized by the College of Arts and Sciences with the 2025 Kathy O. Smith Morley Distinguished Teaching Award for instructional faculty. This award recognizes faculty who have proven to be outstanding teachers throughout their career and exemplified dedication to students coupled with innovative pedagogy. The Awards Committee cited Dr. Burlingham’s caring, consistent, and innovative approach to teaching rigorous STEM sequences. Initially hired because of his original ideas for a new curriculum in a very challenging sequence of organic chemistry courses required for pre-health and physical science majors, he has played a crucial role in developing curriculum, mentoring instructors, and creating new courses to meet evolving student needs. His influence extends beyond the department through his leadership in university educational initiatives and national work in chemical education. His teaching excellence has been recognized through strong peer reviews, high student evaluations, and his collaboration with a major publisher to create an innovative organic chemistry textbook. Students continuously praise his attentiveness, clarity, and dedication to their academic goals. Dr. Burlingham exemplifies the best of teaching through his breadth, depth, and tireless efforts to support student learning and faculty development.