WEST Director wins Graduate Teaching & Mentoring Award

Dr. Ian Pepper, co-founder and director of WEST Center, was awarded the distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Award for Graduate Education by the University of Arizona Graduate College in April 2020. 

With a Call for Nominations in each fall, the UA Graduate Teaching & Mentoring Award acknowledges faculty and professionals who excel in their teaching and mentoring of graduate and professional students.  Tenure-track, tenured, and non-tenure eligible faculty who demonstrate long-standing commitment to graduate education are eligible and may be nominated by students, staff, faculty members, department heads, graduate program directors or deans.

This year, the awards committee unanimously selected Dr. Pepper as one of the 2020 award recipients.  Current and former graduate students attest to Dr. Pepper’s excellence in graduate teaching and mentoring, as well as his humor and compassion.  As stated by the committee:

Dr. Pepper is admired and highly valued by his colleagues and legacy of graduate students. It is clear that (Dr. Pepper’s) passion for environmental microbiology has inspired and sustained many graduate students, several of whom are now mentoring and inspiring their own students.

Winners receive a cash award, medallion, and plaque.  Previous winners can be viewed on the Teaching and Mentoring Awardees “Wall of Fame.”

Congratulations to Dr. Pepper on the well-deserved recognition of his career of commitment to quality teaching and mentoring in graduate education!