Two genetics, development and cell biology (GDCB) graduate students received Teaching Excellence Awards from the Iowa State University Graduate College in spring 2018. Mark McHugh and Jordan Welker, genetics majors, were the GDCB TEX award recipients for spring 2018.

McHugh was nominated for his TEX award by Senior Teaching Lab Coordinator Linda Westgate, who said, McHugh “brings a deliberate and expectative approach to teaching. His preparation for teaching is thorough and thoughtful. He is able to recognize the smallest detail that might confuse students and modify his teaching in order to engage his students in the topic.”

McHugh’s co-major professors are GDCB Chair and Professor Jo Anne Powell-Coffman and Department of Biomedical Sciences Distinguished Professor Richard Martin.

Welker was nominated for his TEX award by his major professor, Jeff Essner. Essner described Welker as “a promising young scientist with potential to become a world-class instructor. Jordan has also been very committed to becoming an outstanding instructor.”

When Welker first joined his lab, Essner said Welker worked as a teaching assistant for Biology 211L for several semesters. “He quickly became the most sought-after TA by the instructors that teach intro biology due to his thoughtful and organized approach to instruction from the beginning.”

Welker is very appreciative to the Graduate College, the university and his major professor for the nomination and receipt of the TEX award. “It is quite an honor to be recognized for all of my hard work in the classroom, especially after this last semester where I got to witness first-hand the ‘Ah-Ha’ moment of several of my students," Welker said.

As TEX award recipients, McHugh and Welker each received a letter of commendation from ISU President Wendy Wintersteen, a certificate of achievement and an honor cord.