Three Natural Sciences Faculty Members Named to UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers

Brent Iverson, Michael Starbird, and James Vick recognized as among the most outstanding educators at the UT System’s nine academic institutions.

AUSTIN, Texas – Six University of Texas at Austin professors have been named members of The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Along with six educators from other UT System institutions, they are members of the academy's first class. Three of the twelve, the most from any single unit, are from the College of Natural Sciences. They are Brent L. Iverson (far right), Michael Starbird (second from left), and James W. Vick (fifth from right).

The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers was created to recognize outstanding educators at the UT System’s nine academic institutions. Members of the academy will serve as a system-level advocacy group dedicated to enhancing teaching, fostering innovation in the classroom and promoting interdisciplinary perspectives on education.

“Great teachers are so critical to the success of students, and we are fortunate that the best teachers in the world work for University of Texas institutions,” said Pedro Reyes, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor in the College of Education. “The academy honors the best of the best and recognizes educators who are leaders in their fields and who are committed to improving teaching across the UT System.”

UT Austin members are:

• John A. Daly, professor in the McCombs School of Business and the College of Communication
• Patrick J. Davis, professor and associate dean in the College of Pharmacy
• Brent L. Iverson, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Robert A. Prentice, professor in the McCombs School of Business
• Michael Starbird, professor in the Department of Mathematics
• James W. Vick, professor in the Department of Mathematics

Among them, the professors have won numerous teaching awards at UT Austin and are members of the university's own Academy of Distinguished Teachers, which was established in 1995.

Those elected from other UT System schools are:

• The University of Texas at Arlington: Mary Lynn Crow, professor of education; and David J. Silva, professor of linguistics
• The University of Texas at Dallas: Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres, professor, School of Economics, Political and Policy Sciences; and John W. Sibert, associate professor, Department of Chemistry
• The University of Texas at El Paso: Beth Brunk-Chavez, associate professor of rhetoric and writing studies
• The University of Texas at Tyler: Catherine E. Ross, associate professor, Department of English

The initial academy members were selected through a rigorous process that included an external evaluation committee composed of university faculty members recognized for outstanding teaching outside of the UT System institutions. The selection committee considered representation across the disciplines and campuses.

The academy members will be asked to determine the selection process and criteria for future members.

Members of The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers will meet in the coming year to plan future activities of the academy.

For more information about the academy and to read more about each of this year’s inductees, please visit The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers website.

For more information, contact: Tim Green, Office of the Vice President for Research, 512 475 6596.