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Northern Illinois University

College of Education

 

College of Education
Northern Illinois University
Graham Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-1948
Fax: (815) 753-2100
cedu@niu.edu

 

NIU Remembers ribbon

Smith Named Alyce Kramer Marcus Outstanding Educator

Tom Smith

The College of Education is pleased to announce that Dr. Thomas Smith, associate professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment, is the 2009 recipient of the Alyce Kramer Marcus Outstanding Educator Award. The award recognizes a professor who has influenced students, who instills a love of learning in his students, and who demonstrates a passion for teaching.  The award was established by NIU alumnus Joyce Marcus, as a special gift to her mother.

Smith teaches statistics and research courses in the college, courses which are historically difficult and challenging for many students. He also serves as an advisor to students. According to his nominators, Smith puts in many hours of preparation and careful planning to make the coursework fun; he is also a highly sought-after advisor due to his reputation for patience and clarity in working with students.

Student nominators had high praise for Smith and his teaching abilities:

  • “His brilliance constantly inspires me to become a better writer, statistician, and educational researcher. Dr. Thomas Smith embodies the excellence to which faculty, students, and NIU graduates should always aspire.”
  • “Tom Smith truly wants his students to succeed. He provides his students with extraordinary support in helping them make the transition from novice statistics students to research professionals.”
  • “Professor Smith is outstanding as a teacher and an advisor.”

Smith impacts students’ lives on many levels through his teaching, his work with them on research projects, and his role as an advisor to them. He encourages students toward excellence and has helped numerous students develop into scholars who are probing the boundaries of knowledge in their chosen fields.

The College of Education extends sincere congratulations to Dr. Thomas Smith on being selected to receive the 2009 Alyce Kramer Marcus Outstanding Educator Award.