Each semester, the Thank-A-Teacher Program highlights the meaningful impact faculty have on their students. In Fall 2024, 268 instructors were recognized through personalized notes of appreciation - many of which speak to the power of encouragement, mentorship, and transformative teaching.

These messages are shared with individual faculty and serve as a reminder that the time spent answering questions, providing feedback, and fostering supportive learning environments does not go unnoticed. Honorees also receive a certificate of appreciation.

Faculty will continue to receive notes for Spring 2025. Students can submit thank you notes through Thursday, May 15 by accessing  Thank-A-Teacher Program.

Below are a few notes from Fall 2024.

Student: Arabella Walters Instructor: Min Zhang Course: CHEM 111 "You are an amazing professor. Thank you for explaining concepts so clearly and patiently answering questions. Despite the number of students you teach you always answer emails in a timely fashion and have been a big help anytime that I've had scheduling conflicts with tests. I wish you great health and happiness for many years to come."
Student: Veronica Bastian Instructor: Kimberly Taylor Course: NURS 741 "Dr. Taylor has been my professor for 1 year. She was always available for her students. Her expectations were high yet clear and concise in each course. I appreciated her higher expectations because it has shaped me into the nurse leader I will become. When I first started the program, I was clueless and confused. Dr. Taylor took the time to teach me philosophies and theories in Laymen terms to help my understanding and build my critical thinking as a future leader. She spoke with such calmness. She was consistent throughout my year as her student. She truly went the extra mile with me personally. Any time I had questions, concerns, or wanted to vent about my grievances. She was available, even on short notices. Leaders should know the kind of professor Dr. Taylor is. She truly loves what she does, and it shows."
Student: Ella Conatser Instructor: Ellen Brightwell Course: SPAN 302 "I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for being the most interactive and inspiring Spanish teacher I've ever had. Your passion and dedication to teaching make every class both engaging and enjoyable. I'm so grateful for the extra effort you put into helping us, especially during those challenging topics it has made such a difference in my learning experience. Your positivity and encouragement create a welcoming environment that truly brightens each day. Your extreme knowledge of not only every topic but also how to teach them is so admirable. Thank you for everything you do and for making Spanish class a highlight of my week!"
Student: Hayes Wilkinson Instructor: Robert Ployhart Course: MGMT 371 "I just wanted to say thank you for making this semester's Principles of Management class such an incredible experience. When I walked into your classroom on day one, I had no idea it would end up changing my entire academic path – but here I am, switching my second major to HR Management, and I couldn't be more excited about it! Your classes never felt like a chore. Even on the days I wanted to just stay in bed, I found energy in our class discussions. You have this amazing way of making concepts click while keeping everyone engaged and actually having fun. I especially want to thank you for all the support you've shown our class throughout the semester. Your enthusiasm for the subject is contagious, and the way you encouraged me to think deeper and aim higher made a huge difference. It felt like you genuinely cared about our success, and that meant a lot. You've given me not just knowledge, but newfound confidence about my future path here. So again, thank you for sparking this new passion!"
Student: Tori Cameron Instructor: Zachary Stepp Course: EDTE 740 "Thank you for always being so enthusiastic and excited to teach. Your energy is contagious and I thoroughly enjoy learning from you. Your passion for the subject is truly inspiring, and your support has been invaluable. Your humor has made classes with you so much more engaging. I'm so lucky to have had you as a professor and on my dissertation committee! You've made a real difference in my academic journey."
Student: Nia Washington Instructor: Sarah Miller Course: HIST 111 "Dr. Miller, thank you for all you do to help me be a very successful student. I have learned so many new things from your class and you always helped me with anything I had questions about. You also make class very fun and I enjoy everything about it. You are more than just a professor, you are someone who I can turn to whenever I need to talk about anything and that means a lot to me. I couldn't have ask for a better professor, thank you."
Student: Emma Clark Instructor: Talitha Bing Course: ENGL 101 "Thank you so much for showing up to class each and every single day with a bright smile on your face. I look forward to coming to your class each and every day and could not be more grateful to have you as my English teacher. You truly are such a light in all of your student's lives, and I would not be the person I am today without your guidance. You deserve the world and are such an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for being the most genuine human ever! Cannot wait for ENGL 102 with you.”
Student: Brittany Turner Instructor: Jaci Wilkerson Course: SOWK 331 Thank you for everything you've done throughout this course. You created an environment where everyone felt valued and empowered to share their voice. I truly appreciated how welcoming you were to questions and how you never made anyone feel inadequate for not knowing something. The way you fostered equality and openness in the classroom made it easier for me to share my thoughts and learn from others. I've learned so much from you, and I'm grateful for your inspiration and for being such a wonderful role model. Your genuine care for students meant so much. I cannot thank you enough for a great class!"
Student: Venkatesan Nadimuthu Instructor: Ramtin Zand Course: CSCE 513 "Thank you for making the Fall 2024 Computer Architecture class an inspiring experience. Your passion for the subject, your clear explanations, and the genuine care you show for your students made every lecture worthwhile. Through your guidance, I gained not only a solid understanding of computer architecture, but also a deeper appreciation for the field. Your teaching has truly motivated me to continue exploring and learning. I am sincerely grateful for all you have done. Thanks for going above and beyond."
Student: Pamela Bynoe-Reed Instructor: William Hauk Course: ECON 720 "I wanted to share how much your Managerial Economics class meant to me during my PMBA educational journey. Initially, I approached the course with some anxiety, as I had struggled with my first economics class during undergrad. However, the way you taught the material made it not only manageable but truly enjoyable. I particularly loved the class interactions, your engaging lectures, and my first experience with a simulation, which was both challenging and rewarding. It wasn't until later that I fully realized what an honor it was to have someone of your academic pedigree as one of my instructors. It was incredibly inspiring to see you receive national recognition for your work and expertise, and you did so with such humility and grace. Your dedication to your students and your craft truly shines through, and it made a lasting impression on me. Thank you for creating such a positive and impactful learning experience. I am grateful for the knowledge I gained in your class and for the confidence it instilled in me to approach new challenges.”