James Smith, Cavalier Distinguished Teaching Professor of Civil Engineering

The Cavalier Distinguished Teaching Professorship was established in 1991 to recognize an eminent scholar for outstanding teaching of undergraduates. Previous winners have included Kenneth Elzinga (Economics), Dean Harman (Chemistry), Karen Chase (English), and Denny Proffitt (Psychology). In addition to receiving a monetary award, Cavalier DTPs teach University Seminars and work with the Teaching Resource Center to promote the general enhancement of teaching at the University. Teaching Concerns highlights this year's winner, James Smith of the Civil Engineering Department in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, recipient in 1997 of the Alumni Board of Trustees Teaching Award.

Jim Smith exudes a friendly, understated excitement when discussing his multiple academic roles at U.Va. He conducts research on environmental pollutants, concentrating on groundwater contaminants, and teaches a variety of courses about environmental engineering. He credits his enthusiasm for teaching and learning for sustaining his high level of interest in both. Several years ago Jim wrote a teaching portfolio that has helped guide his approach to pedagogy. He provides many aids to learning such as "interactive class notes" that enable students to recognize the key points of his lectures and  include space to work problems and grapple with important questions. Jim consciously works to foster a supportive classroom environment in which students are encouraged to think and work together rather than simply absorb information. He has also championed increased awareness of teaching issues in his department and school by serving on key teaching-related committees. Students regularly report that they find that Jim's combination of expertise and enthusiasm enhances their ability to learn. During the tenure of his Distinguished Teaching Professorship, Jim plans to work with the Teaching Resource Center on several projects, teach an interdisciplinary USEM that touches on his latest research interests, and overhaul his interactive class notes and other teaching aids to take maximum advantage of web-related technologies.