ME Professor Wins Faculty Teaching Award

ME Professor James Van de Ven received CSE's 2020 Charles E. Bowers Faculty Teaching Award in recognition of his innovative and inspirational teaching. Professor Van de Ven has woven his expertise in machine design and fluid power systems into his courses, providing a practical basis for applying engineering theory. "He is a teaching innovator in our department," said Department Head Susan Mantell. "His contagious energy and clear presentations have inspired our students." Student evaluations from Professor Van de Ven's courses consistently note his ability to bring real-life applications and hands-on experiences to the teaching of mechanical engineering, providing details on how the theories being presented apply to the real world — for example, demonstrating the operation of hydrostatic transmissions on a riding lawn mower.

Professor Van de Ven opens each course with the following statement: "Tell me and I'll forget. Show me and I'll remember. Involve me and I'll understand." His consistent application of this philosophy is led to winning the Bowers Faculty Teaching Award, which recognizes an outstanding CSE professor who has demonstrated exceptional interest in and commitment to teaching.

Learn more about the CSE Collegiate Awards here.

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