Chris Tinson, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, is the 2016 winner of the David Gruber Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professor Tinson’s recommendations described his unique ability to facilitate challenging discussions and utilize student questions to guide learning. In doing so, he provides powerful opportunities for education, healing and student development. He is committed to the well-being of all his students, engaging them with relevant, real-world learning experiences in the fields of African American and Africana Studies. Professor Tinson is continuously innovating his field and teaching, posing the hard questions about race and racism in the United States and internationally to his students and peers. He has also served as a mentor and guide for student activists in the Black Lives Matter movement and the Decolonize Media Collective (DMC).
Karen Koehler, the Marilyn Levin Professor of Architectural and Art History, is the 2016 winner of the David Gruber Award for Excellence in Advising. Professor Koehler received high praise for motivating students to accomplish their best work and for creating a supportive and inspiring community of peers and mentors for her students. She sets high standards and supports her students to achieve their goals. Each of the nominations also mentioned Professor Koehler’s Institute for Curatorial Practice, an innovative program that she created to help both students at Hampshire and others outside of our institution to engage with the field of curatorial studies and get connected to internships and jobs. Her crucial support and mentoring of students extends well beyond their time at Hampshire, as many enthusiastic letters from alumni attest.