The Sally Steadman Azalea Chapter of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society recently highlighted professors at the University of South Alabama with its seventeenth annual “Top Prof.” Each year, the members of Mortar Board select instructors as top professor recipients based on how they have positively influenced the lives of students at the university.
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| Thomas Rich, Ph.D. |
Alia Tayara, an honors senior biomedical sciences major, chose Rich as her “Top Prof,” because of his care and guidance with students and those he mentors. Tayara took an honors elective class that Rich taught with other faculty members, and went on to be his mentee for her thesis project. Rich encouraged her to be actively involved in organizations, community service and research. Tayara attributes Rich with helping her become a more confident presenter and speaker by presenting concepts assigned to her during his labs, an environment that she described as welcoming and diverse.
Tayara said one of Rich’s greatest qualities is his depth of understanding students and the pressure that is placed on them to excel. He applies that consideration when determining his expectations and when working with those he mentors to ensure that they are given a manageable workload.
“I will always be thankful for the time I spent working in Dr. Rich’s lab,” said Tayara. “He has expanded my science knowledge exponentially, given me confidence in my presentation skills, and set an example for me in productivity and forward thinking.”
Hanna Bobinger, the current 2020-2021 president of the Mortar Board Sally Steadman Azalea Chapter and a senior chemical engineering major, also chose Rich because his mentorship helped her grow into a more confident researcher and leader. At Rich’s offer, Bobinger was able to work with one of Rich’s colleagues in Paris at the Sorbonne University and Institute of Biology Paris-Seine. With Rich’s assistance, Bobinger obtained an American Heart Association Fellowship and a SURF fellowship for summer 2018 and summer 2020, respectively.
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| Richard Honkanen, Ph.D. |
Hannah Giannini, a chemistry major who recommended Richard Honkanen said he has been her research mentor since her sophomore year. Giannini said Honkanen is a patient professor that is always willing to go above and beyond for students. In his lab, Honkanen adjusts concepts to be understandable at an undergraduate level and is willing to answer questions and provide helpful feedback to student presentations. He is involved in his lab member’s research to ensure that projects are well-understood every step of the way, while still allowing students to maintain their autonomy.
Because of Honkanen’s dedication to his students, Giannini was able to resume working in the lab last summer during a time when few undergraduates were given the opportunity. He also offered additional help to Giannini’s research by culturing cells during Hurricane Sally.
“Dr. Honkanen has definitely helped me in my college journey,” said Giannini. “Many of his students have gone on to prestigious graduate programs. I am grateful that Dr. Honkanen uses what he has learned to give me advice. He has been an excellent motivator!”
The Mortar Board Senior Honor Society is a national honor society that consists of college seniors that have exhibited exceptional leadership and dedication to their universities. The “Top Prof” recipients are typically honored with an awards dinner held by the society, but the ceremony was held virtually this year. Each professor was acknowledged in a video wherein the students recognized their chosen professor’s involvement during their years as an undergraduate.
