Lorraine Brewer Receives Di Brezzo Award

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Lorraine Brewer, left, with Ro Di Brezzo.

Lorraine Brewer, instructor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, had a surprise visit to her class last week. Brewer was recognized recently at the annual Faculty Awards Reception, and a couple members of the TFSC crew visited her class to recognize her in front of her students. At that presentation, Lynn Meade, co-director, told the students, "The same level of care and compassion that she gives to you, she gives to other teachers on campus. She makes repeated presentations at the teaching center to help all of us better teachers."

Brewer was selected as the recipient of the Ro Di Brezzo Excellence in Service to Teaching Award for 2021-22. Over her career, Brewer provided numerous teaching improvement workshops for campus faculty on a variety of topics ranging from student engagement to effective teaching in large enrollment classes. Don Johnson, former TFSC co-director, said, "She has done many things to promote effective teaching on campus from mentoring, teaching workshops."

Carole Shook, TFSC co-director, added, "She is incredible; she allows other teachers to sit in her class to learn from her."

Brewer currently teaches large sections of university chemistry and advises pre-pharmacy students. Richard Cassady, TFSC co-director, called her "a champion of first-year students." She has taught large sections of organic and biochemistry courses and has served as academic adviser for more than 100 students a year. A member of the Teaching Academy, Brewer received the Dr. John and Mrs. Lois Imhoff Award for Outstanding Teaching and Student Mentorship in 2012 and the Fulbright Master Teacher Award in 2021.

The Di Brezzo Award, named in honor of former Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Ro Di Brezzo, recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding service to campus teaching through programs conducted by the Wally Cordes Teaching and Faculty Support Center. Brewer received a recognition plaque and a $500 teaching enhancement grant.

To watch the video of the TFSC's surprising Brewer with a classroom visit, check out the TFSC Facebook page.