Thanks to kind words from former students and a long list of criteria, three NIU professors have been awarded one of the university’s highest honors.

This year’s Presidential Teaching Professors are Chhiu-Tsu Lin, a chemistry and biochemistry professor; educational psychology professor Diann Musial and Gene Roth, a professor in the Department of Counseling, Adult and Health Education.

“It is the university’s highest award for excellence in education,” said Fred Smith, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

To receive the award, nominees must be full professors and have worked at NIU for at least six years. Part of the process includes calling up former students and hearing what they have to say about specific professors.

“Those comments are extraordinary,” associate provost Robert Wheeler said. “[Former students] are unbelievably positive about those who are selected as

winners.”

The Presidential Teaching Professorship began in 1990. The professors selected receive a salary increase, as well as a $5,000 grant over their four-year appointment to help improve their teaching. After four years, they receive the title of “distinguished teaching professor.”

Chhiu-Tsu Lin

Lin said he was honored when he received a letter from Wheeler announcing his award.

“I knew I was nominated, but I was happy to find out that I won,” Lin said.

He first came to NIU as a higher associate professor in 1985 and became a professor in 1989.

Though teaching is his first love, Lin also is an accomplished researcher who has published nearly 120 articles and also formed an NIU spin-off company called ChemNova Technologies. The goal of that company is to develop an environmentally friendly coating for metal. The company was recognized last October when it won the 14th annual Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award.

Lin also won the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1999.

“I try to connect with my students,” he said. “I want to motivate them and let them work hard to succeed.”

Lin hopes to continue the same teaching principles throughout his career by making himself available to students in and out of the classroom and using up-to-date material.

“If students work hard, they will see results,” Lin said.

Diann Musial

“I was totally dumbfounded,” Musial said, after finding out about her award. “I didn’t have a word to say.”

Musial first came to NIU in 1982 as an assistant professor in education policy studies. She started with a degree in philosophy and taught seventh- and eighth-grade students, which motivated her to get a master’s degree in teaching physics.

Musial then accepted a principal’s job and completed a doctorate in educational research and evaluation, as well as a CAS degree in social theory.

“I try to provide a course that focuses on ideas that are large concepts,” Musial said. “I use a lot of open-ended exercises and small group discussions.”

Growing up, Musial wasn’t sure what she was interested in.

“I loved life, and life’s experiences pulled me to a place I got interested in,” she said.

In the future, she hopes to continue to her current work and become more experimental.

“I would tell students not to be afraid to ask difficult questions to their professor,” Musial said. “What teachers teach should cover the students questions.”

Gene Roth

The Presidential Teaching Professor Award was something Gene Roth didn’t expect.

“It was late in the year, and the presidential research professors were already named, so I didn’t expect it,” Roth said. “I was very pleasantly surprised.”

Roth came to NIU in 1985 as the director of the Office of Vocational, Technical and Career Education. Before coming to NIU, he was a professor at Idaho State University, Southeast Missouri State and the University of South Dakota.

“There are a lot of outstanding teachers, and I just happened to be the one selected,” Roth said.

He said he tries to create a safe environment for his students.

“I try to make people feel comfortable,” he said. “I try to help the students understand concepts.”

Roth is president-elect of the Academy of Human Resource Development, of which he has been a member for eight years. The academy’s mission is to lead the field of human resource development though research.

Roth said professors have to be willing to adapt to students.

“You have to be open to change and be flexible,” he said. “You also have to be very observant.”