Tichenor receives 2014 Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching

Political Science Professor Daniel Tichenor is the recipient of this year’s Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching.

President Michael Gottfredson presented Tichenor with a crystal apple at a surprise award ceremony on Tuesday afternoon in the Knight Library Browsing Room.

Tichenor, the Philip H. Knight Professor of Political Science, said he was “thrilled and completely surprised.”

He praised his colleagues and his students for making the UO “an easy place to feel inspired when you walk into the classroom.”

In prepared remarks, Gottfredson said Tichenor “represents the best of teaching in a research university.

“His dynamism is matched only by his versatility, polish, and depth. Students at all levels, from freshmen to graduates, commend Tichenor's commitment to inspiring his students to take their new knowledge and skills outside the classroom.”

Tichenor’s area of scholarship is the American political system, including many of the hot-button issues of the day: the office of the presidency; immigration and immigration reform; organized labor; lobbying and interest groups.

Students praise his even-handed approach to controversial topics, and his command of various arguments within each policy, whether it be liberal, conservative or independent.

The most used adjective in his teaching evaluations is “phenomenal”—followed closely by “outstanding,” “engaging,” and “exceptional” (as well as “flawless,” “excellent,” and “extraordinary”).

Since coming to the UO in 2008, Tichenor has served as Senior Faculty Fellow at the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics, which provides his students access to prominent guest fellows and guest speakers, valuable professional contacts and unique course structures.

Tichenor also reaches a broader audience as a public intellectual and commentator, including in The New York Times and NPR.

The Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching was established by the late Mr. A.J. Ersted to honor faculty members who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to induce students to reason rather than merely memorize.

- by Tim Christie, Public Affairs Communications