Binghamton University Student receives Graduate Excellence in Teaching Award

BINGHAMTON, NY (05/18/2012)(readMedia)-- Each year, Binghamton University honors the special achievements of those graduate students who serve as teaching assistants and instructors. Nominations are invited from all graduate programs and recipients represent a variety of teaching approaches in diverse subjects.

Paul Tanui of Binghamton, NY, who is pursuing studies in chemistry, has received a Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching award from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

Tanui was recognized for his talent for teaching and mentoring undergraduates in laboratory settings, providing opportunities for them to employ critical-thinking and problem-solving strategies that allow them to acquire lifelong-learning skills. He expertly handles the logistics of running lab courses, pays attention to students and their problems and uses his knowledge of experimental techniques, organic chemistry reactions and mechanisms in a way that guides students to success in the lab. Tanui was singled out for his ability to explain the labs "in a clear, understandable manner," and when students encounter problems, he is able to guide them in the proper direction without giving away answers, challenging them to think for themselves.

Binghamton University is one of the four university centers of the State University of New York. Known for the excellence of its students, faculty, staff and programs, Binghamton enrolls close to 15,000 students in programs leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Its curriculum, founded in the liberal arts, has expanded to include selected professional and graduate programs.