Graduate Mentor Award | Graduate Student Assembly

The Graduate School honors faculty members for their exemplary qualities as mentors. The honorees are chosen by a committee of students and faculty, in coordination with the Graduate Teaching Center. All letters of nomination are anonymous.

Recipients in 2014

Humanities:

Mary Lui, Professor of American Studies and History (read her remarks here)

Natural Sciences:

Eric Dufresne, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Physics, and Cell Biology (read his remarks here; see also theSEAS newsletter)

Social Sciences:

Greg Huber, Professor of Political Science (read his remarks here)

Recipients in 2013

Humanities:

Kathyrn Lofton, professor of religious studies, American studies, history, and divinity [Lofton also received the 2013 Sarai Ribicoff ’79 Award for the Encouragement of Teaching at Yale College]

Natural Sciences:

Evan Morris, associate professor of diagnostic radiology, of biomedical engineering, and of psychiatry, and co-director for imaging at the Yale PET Center

Social Sciences:

Elisabeth Wood, professor of political science and of international and area studies

Recipients in 2012

Humanities:

Katie Trumpener - Department of Comparative Literature & Department of English

“This for me is true mentoring: Katie has convinced me that there is room for someone like me in this field, that I have something to contribute, and she is willing to invest considerable personal time and effort into (and, as my advisor, in some ways stake her own reputation on) my reaching my full potential as a scholar within the context of my wider life. This is such a gift, and honestly, I am a MUCH better scholar for Katie's support and acknowledgment of my various responsibilities.”

“I have met no other professor, who invests as much time and energy in their students, who is as inspiring and selfless as Katie. Katie represents to me everything that is most valuable in academia and everything that I aspire to be both professionally and, more importantly, as a person.”

“As a dissertation adviser, her energy, inspiration, and empathy has been a life-changing gift. She is at once the most intellectually imaginative, rigorous, far-reaching adviser and the most humane and generous mentor I have ever encountered in my time at Yale. Through her openness and courage, she has singlehandedly changed the atmosphere of graduate life in our department.”

Natural Sciences:

Hemant Tagare - Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering

“In addition to being overwhelmed by his productivity and creativity in his research, I am more thankful for his continuing and countless help on my study, research, career, and life. He truly takes the success of his students as his priority as a professor. He is always accessible for giving research advice as well as helping on trivia details including writing and preparation for presentations. He listens to his students and helps solve problems no matter they are academic or personal.”

“Hemant was more than my adviser. He took an interest in my professional development, extra-curricular activities, and personal life. He worked around my other obligations when I became involved in the GSA and he always encouraged my involvement as a TF. Additionally, he was incredibly helpful in my job search and in making my final decision.”

“Hemant encourages curiosity, creativity and overall pursuit of true understanding, while never discouraging the unconventional. He has taught me to be confident in my abilities as a researcher and what it really means to be a scholar. Hemant is a true mentor, never spoon feeding answers or critiquing what is right or wrong; instead he fosters thought and guides education through more questions and reflection until the knowledge is fully realized.”

Social Sciences:

William Wright Kelly - Department of Anthropology

“His tireless guidance and continuous encouragement, while writing the dissertation as well as throughout my doctoral career, are outstanding. His commitment to teaching and learning, attention to detail and his respect for knowledge have greatly shaped my own work and way of thinking.”

“Unparalleled professionalism, sincere dedication, and encyclopedic knowledge are just a few ways to describe how Professor Kelly has been a model teacher, mentor, and scholar for me.”

“Professor Kelly has devoted his career to cultivating a professional fellowship that links juniors and seniors, professors and students. Crucially, it is not Professor Kelly’s authority as an advisor that binds his many students across the world together. Rather, it is the magnetism of his intellect, the depth of his dedication to the discipline, and the magnanimity of his guidance that gives us a sense of belonging and gratefulness to call Professor Kelly our mentor.”

Recipients in 2011

Humanities:

Langdon Hammer - Department of English

"He is unfailingly a graduate student's ideal reader, enthusiastic about string moments in my writing while pushing me to crystallize and extend my arguments, as well as to make each sentence as compelling as possible."

"He believed in the value of my project when it was just the shadow of an idea that I struggled to express, and after three years of work he continues to guide me toward both stronger ideas and clearer expression at every turn. I've received unsolicited notes of encouragement and wisdom from Lanny at more difficult times as well, such as when I was passed over for a competitive fellowship. These gestures let me know that someone was watching out for me, intellectually and even emotionally."

"He handles his knowledge with understated grace and generosity, using it to help his students develop their own projects. On countless occasions when I have come to him for help thinking through an idea or project, he has listened carefully and asked just the right questions to help me develop my thinking."

Natural Sciences:

Jordan Peccia - Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering

"Far from dictating what our next research step should be, Professor Peccia engages in an active give and take that allows us to make our own decisions, take true ownership of our research, and learn the research process."

"This fall I (eventually and somewhat reluctantly) agreed it was time to abandon a project I've been working on for almost 2 years. This put my thesis, and in turn my lifein great turmoil, but Jordan has helped me find a new objective, helped me refocus my attention, and has once again given me freedom to learn and grow."

"He keeps his life balanced. In times of crisis, I've seen him respond with wisdom, patience, and generosity. These are the qualities that make you successful in life as well as research, and this is the unspoken lesson Jordan preaches."

Social Sciences:

Julia Adams - Department of Sociology

"She gave me enough freedom to pursue my intellectual interests and only reined me in when she felt I was going off track. In workshops, she provided excellent academic feedback, but does so in a way that acknowledges the intellectual contribution that the graduate student is making."

"Julia's most outstanding quality is that she remembers what it is like to be a graduate student."

"While her schedule made it clear that she was busy, when I sat across from her desk, I always had her undivided attention."

"Long after turning in my dissertation, I still get emails from her keeping me connected to the department by making sure my profile in the 'recent postings' section of the website is kept up to date."

Recipients in 2010

Humanities:

John Harley Warner - Department of the History of Medicine

"One might expect that at this point of his career, professor Warner would be tired, or at least less inclined to nurture young students. And still, despite a busy schedule and numerous personal and professional commitments and responsibilities, Professor Warner is always accessible. He finds time to meet, talk about my work, formulate a broad career development strategy, and give tips about research, writing and grant applications."

"Having Professor Warner as my academic mentor is like winning in the lottery. Prior to coming to Yale, I had studied at two other universities and considered myself fortunate to work under a number of excellent, compessionate, and warm professors. At Yale, Professor Warner had never ceased to raise the mentorship bar to unprecedented levels."

"During meetings to discuss student's progress, whether the topic is classes, prepping for orals, or writing the dissertation, John's advice is never overbearing. He does a great job of helping you think through the best way to solve a problem that you're facing, rather than prescribing the solution himself."

Natural Sciences:

Suzanne Alonso - Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

"Professor Alonzo has been an inspiration when it comes to balancing my life between academic and non-academic pursuits. She has always encouraged her students to have a life outside of the lab, emphasizing that in order to think clearly, sometimes you need to get out of the lab and clear your head."

“What makes Suzanne truly exceptional is that her helping hand is not limited to the people in her lab. In numerous occasions, I have witnessed her sit down with other students in the department to talk about their research ideas, career plans and job applications. Furthermore, Suzanne took an active role in a program which provides mentoring to female students by female professors. Therefore, Suzanne's mentoring skills have had a positive impact not only on me, but on many more students at Yale.”

“In addition to all of her contributions to my professional development, Suzanne has been a terrific personal mentor. She always took the progress in my research with great enthusiasm and pride, but also expressed her confidence in my abilities when things were not going so well. Also, Suzanne has been a great example of a prolific scientist who can keep her work and her family life in a wonderful balance.”

Social Sciences:

Kelly Brownell - Department of Psychology

“My mentor Professor Kelly D. Brownell has fundamentally changed the way I view the world. Kelly has taught me that science can be a powerful tool in shaping public policy and effecting change on a national and international scale.”

Haig Keshiahian - Department of Neurobiology

Social Sciences:

Michele Dillon - Department of Sociology

(In case of any questions or concerns with regard to the content of this page, please email APD.GSA@Yale.edu)