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When Play Is Work, and Vice Versa Calling All Songwriters "Recipes from Home" Tested on Unsuspecting Judges In Case You Haven't Been Watching TV Lately... ............................

"And the Winner Is..." Every February, Smith students honor a few favorite professors who are inspiring, or exceed the expectations of a class, or are simply great teachers. Students submit one- to two-page nomination essays, which are reviewed by a student committee; the awards are presented at Smith's Rally Day celebration. Winners of this year's Senior and Junior Faculty Awards (below, right to left) are Malgorzata Pfabé, physics; Bosiljka Glumac, geology; and Kevin Quashie; Afro-American studies. Deciding who should receive the senior award was easy, said presenter Helen Hwang '04, but it was much harder for students to decide on the recipient of the junior award. "Our committee received many deserving Junior Faculty nominations," Hwang noted. "Therefore it was difficult for us to come into a consensus. So [with the permission of the board of trustees] we decided upon two junior faculty members who equally exemplified the qualities of an excellent professor." Pfabé, however, was an easy favorite among physics students. Her "mellifluous voice" and "welcoming smile" are among the many complimentary terms used to describe Pfabé and her teaching style. All 20 physics majors signed the letter, said presenter Kathleen Rowan '01. Without cracking a smile, Rowan read the beginning of the nomination letter: "Professor Malgorzata Pfabé is the most boring English professor ever. Fortunately she has been teaching physics at Smith for 18 years." Geology professor Glumac, co-recipient of the junior award, was described by her nominators as "enthusiastic," "excited" and "dedicated." One student asked, "Who else could make sand so cool?" Glumac was also lauded as a role model for Smith women and an "inspiring woman scientist" who treats students as serious scientists, "helping them to feel comfortable and confident about their opportunities in the scientific community." Of professor Quashie, who has been teaching at Smith for two years, students said, "He pushes you. He inspires you to discover yourself." Another student commented, "Kevin Quashie makes it worthwhile to wake up for that 9 a.m. class on a hard Monday morning, trek across campus in the snow, and participate fully in class." Upon accepting his award, Quashie turned to the full house-a good many of them seniors wearing remarkable hats and graduation gowns-gathered in John M. Greene Hall. He quietly said, "Thank you. And to my students I want to say: You have taught me how to be inspired in my teaching. I want you all to remember that you are all unfailingly elegant." Award recipients received a plaque and a cash award provided by the board of trustees.

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Copyright © 2001, Smith College. Portions of this publication may be reproduced with the permission of the Office
of College Relations, Garrison Hall, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts 01063. Last update: 5/8/2001.

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