The Seahawk

Issue date: 1/8/09 Section: News

Kate Bruce, psychology professor and director of the Honors Scholars Program at UNCW, was chosen as the 2008 North Carolina Professor of the Year.

"I felt humbled when I was nominated last spring," Dr. Kate Bruce said. "I know the other two UNCW professors who have been recognized with the award in the past (Drs. Huber and Tallant) and how dedicated they are. I am glad that the CASE/Carnegie folks have been recognizing the importance that UNCW places on undergraduate education."

Bruce traveled to Washington, D.C. where she was recognized at a luncheon honoring state and national winners of the award, which was sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and administered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The award recognizes professors for their teaching, commitment and influence on undergraduate students.

Bruce joined the UNCW faculty in 1984. She has served as the founding director of the Center for Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship, as well as the director of the Honors Scholars Program since 1999. In 2007, Bruce brought international attention to UNCW through her role as president of the National Collegiate Honors Council.

"When I came to UNCW, I enjoyed working with honors students on senior projects in psychology and had a chance to teach an honors 120 seminar class when the 4-year honors program was pretty young, and really enjoyed it," Bruce said. "When the honors director position opened, I applied and got the job."

She added, "I had been graduate coordinator and advisor for graduate students in psychology, and associate dean in the Graduate School for several years before becoming Honors Director. I liked the idea of working closely with undergrads again, and helping undergrad students have more opportunities at UNCW."

Bruce has transformed UNCW and the community through her various leadership roles and programs. The number of students graduating with departmental honors in their major has doubled and the Honors Scholar program has grown from 75 students to 125 students a year.

Bruce also established the Undergraduate Research Symposia and the Albert Schweitzer Award which honors an individual from the Cape Fear area who exemplifies the ideals of Albert Schweitzer. Her work as founder of the Center for Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowship has helped to expand and improve undergraduate research at UNCW.

Continued...

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