Dr. Bernie Bopp, professor of physics and astronomy and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and Rose Neuser, assistant director of financial aid, have been named April's recipients of the Students First Award.
Student learning is the top priority for Bopp and although he is a busy administrator, Bopp still teaches courses in astronomy, personalizing them by learning every student's name, no matter how large the class.
"Dr. Bopp treats all students and colleagues with the utmost respect," said nominator Christine Keller, secretary of the Center for Teaching and Learning. "He takes time to sit down with a student to go over concerns, and goes above and beyond. He always puts the students first."
Bopp graciously accepted the award, saying he only wished he could do more.
"It is a great honor to be recognized this way," Bopp said. "The award itself speaks directly to what should be our overriding concern at UT: the well-being and success of our students."
After serving The University of Toledo for nearly 25 years, students are still the center of Neuser's focus. She works with a tremendous number of students on their financial aid each semester. This is challenging work because it often involves explaining to worried students the complicated technicalities placed on the aid by the grantor.
"I always try to put myself or one of my own children in the student’s situation," Neuser said. "Then I always try to treat them as I would hope that someone would treat me or someone from my family."
Nominator and recent recipient of Neuser's generous help, Jamilah Jones, UT graduate student, said, "She inspired me to look at how I might better serve every student and how I might be more empathetic. She gave me a fresh look at what it means to serve students as individuals."