Van Brunt, a professor of chemical engineering, is known for using art in his classes.

“I wore that tie because Sunday afternoon is a happy time, a time to celebrate,” said Van Brunt, referring to Seurat’s Un dimanche après-midi à l'Ile de la Grande Jatte. “Art provides a focal point for getting a point across. Artists are incredibly observant about the world around them, and sometimes they can capture phenomena that engineering models, at this point, cannot capture.”

But Van Brunt is enthusiastic not only about art. “I’m very enthusiastic in the classroom, and that enthusiasm rubs off on the students,” he said. “I engage each student as an individual.

“I’m very honored to receive the Amoco Award. I really love teaching. It’s exciting to interact with students. The award is a culmination of a lot of work, and it certainly inspires me to continue to do better.”

Van Brunt began, who was named a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in 1997, began teaching at USC in the fall of 1975. He has brought in more than $7 million in funded research.

He has received several other teaching awards, including the Litman Award in 1988, the Golden Key Award for Creative Integration of Research and Undergraduate Teaching in 1994, and the Mungo Award for undergraduate teaching in 1999.

As part of the judging procedure, students submitted testimonials on behalf of Van Brunt. One student wrote: "He is an extremely caring person who is always willing to help. He has helped many students with homework until 3 a.m. He has been here helping students on Friday nights, Saturdays, and on Sundays. Simply put, any time a student needs help with anything, Dr. Van Brunt is ready willing and able to help."

Another wrote: "He even made lectures on thermodynamics and fractional distillation fun. (I did not think it was possible for thermodynamics to be fun.)”

Van Brunt is the second consecutive engineering faculty member to win the Amoco, the University’s top faculty award. Last year, Wally Peters in mechanical engineering received the award, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate teaching and carries an annual $2,500 stipend added to the base salary.

Other winners at the annual awards presentation include:

• Carolina Distinguished Professors—Janette Turner Hospital, English; M. Asif Khan, engineering; and John Richards, psychology

• Golden Key Faculty Award for Creative Integration of Research and Undergraduate Teaching—Michael Matthews, engineering

• Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award—Catherine Murphy, chemistry and biochemistry

• Ada B. Thomas Outstanding Faculty Advisor—Cleveland Sellers, African-American Studies

• Russell Research Award for Humanities and Social Sciences—Janette Turner Hospital, English

• Russell Research Award for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering—Kuniharu Kubodera, physics

• USC Educational Foundation Research Award for Health Sciences—Alan Decho, public health

• USC Educational Foundation Research Award for Humanities and Social Sciences—Allen Miller, languages, literature, and cultures

• USC Educational Foundation Research Award for Professional Schools—John Addison, business

• USC Educational Foundation Research Award for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering—Vladimir Temlyakov, mathematics

• USC Educational Foundation Outstanding Service Award—John Logue, USC Sumter, biology

• Carolina Trustee Professorship—Chaden Djalali, physics and astronomy

• Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Awards—Ward Briggs, languages, literature and cultures; Art Cohen, geological sciences; Jed Lyons, mechanical engineering; and David Reisman, biological sciences

• Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Awards—Christina Friend, English; Ted Moore, business; and Dan Reger, chemistry and biochemistry.

05/03