Matthew Lassiter, assistant professor of history, is pleasantly surprised as he receives the 14th annual Golden Apple Award during class Dec. 4. Members of the group Students Honoring Outstanding University Teaching (SHOUT) selected him as the winner the previous day based on student nominations. The award “honors those teachers who consistently teach each lecture as if it were their last, and strive not only to disseminate knowledge but to inspire and engage students in its pursuit,” says the SHOUT Web site. The nominations for Lassiter say he is dedicated, inspirational and thought-provoking. “Professor Lassiter has inspired me as no person ever has,” one nomination says. Lassiter received the award while giving instructions to students about evaluating his performance in the class. “Don’t let this skew your evaluations,” he told the students. Lassiter will present the “Ideal Last Lecture” at the official awarding of the Golden Apple at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theater. (Photo by Todd McKinney)
