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Hamilton College's highest awards for teaching were presented today to an assistant professor of women's studies, an assistant professor of philosophy, and an associate professor of mathematics.

Vivyan Adair, assistant professor of women's studies, was named the recipient of "The John R. Hatch Class of 1925 Excellence in Teaching Award;" Todd Franklin, assistant professor of philosophy, received "The Class of 1963 Excellence in Teaching Award;" and Tim Kelly, associate professor of mathematics, won "The Samuel and Helen Lang Prize for Excellence in Teaching." The presentations took place at Hamilton's Class and Charter Day celebration, an annual convocation recognizing student and faculty excellence during the preceding academic year.

Hamilton College president Eugene M. Tobin said, "These faculty members inspire their students and serve as models of what teaching should be. We are pleased to recognize their commitment to excellence with these awards."

Vivyan Adair, Women's StudiesThe John R. Hatch Class of 1925 Excellence in Teaching Award Vivyan Adair came to Hamilton College in 1998. She earned a Ph.D. in English, a master's and bachelor's degree from the University of Washington, Seattle. She is particularly interested in studying representations of women on welfare and analyzing the impact of welfare reform.

Adair is co-director of the ACCESS Project, a pilot project that will assist disadvantaged women in Oneida and Herkimer Counties in obtaining a higher education. She is the author of From Good Ma to Welfare Queen, A Genealogy of the Poor Woman in American Literature, Photography and Culture, a study which explores literary, photographic and cultural representations of poor American women and offers a view of the interlocking systems of race, gender and class oppression (Garland, 2000). Adair is also co-editor of Women, Poverty and the Promise of Education in America, which is to be published by Temple University Press in late 2000.

In nominating Adair for the award, a student wrote, "She creates a special relationship with her students and brings a personal atmosphere to the classroom. She is willing to share personal stories in order to explain her points rather than referring each time to someone else's approach."

Another wrote, "Critical, analytic and personal is Vivyan's approach to the life and the academy. I believe it is this style of teaching and living which makes so many students admire and value Vivyan Adair."

The John R. Hatch Class of 1925 Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1998 by Alfrederic S. Hatch, a 1958 Hamilton graduate, in memory of his father, who graduated from Hamilton in 1925. It supports an annual prize for a tenure-track faculty member who has been employed by the college for fewer than five years, and who has demonstrated superior teaching, high-quality scholarly research and a significant and positive impact on students.

A. Todd Franklin, PhilosophyThe Class of 1963 Excellence in Teaching Award Todd Franklin earned a doctorate in philosophy from Stanford University and a bachelor's in philosophy from the University of Chicago. He came to Hamilton College in 1997.

Before coming to Hamilton, Franklin was acting assistant professor of philosophy and program coordinator for Philosophy and Human Existence at Stanford. A member of the American Philosophical Association, his areas of expertise are the history of modern philosophy and nineteenth century continental philosophy.

A student who nominated Franklin for the teaching award said, "I truly believe he is one of those teachers a person is graced with the luck of finding only once in one's lifetime. He is immensely committed to his students' understanding of the material he covers in class and how it relates not only to other material covered or the course as a whole, but to one's personal life and to society at large. He is truly interested in what someone has to say and he never presumes that his interpretation is the only one to be had."

Another wrote, "I believe that Professor Franklin is most outstanding for his unique responsibilities as a teacher of philosophy. Most academic subjects rely on concrete evidence that students critically assess, whereas philosophy deals with abstract concepts. Professor Franklin's explanations offer clarity on the philosophical works and guide students in confidently evaluating the merits of different ideas."

The Class of 1963 Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1988 to recognize one Hamilton faculty member each year who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to teaching.

Timothy Kelly, MathematicsThe Samuel and Helen Lang Prize for Excellence in Teaching Timothy Kelly is the second recipient of this award, which is given annually to a senior, tenured faculty member. It is presented on the basis of superior teaching and for having a significant and positive impact on students. The fund was established by Helen Lang, the mother of Michael C. Lang, class of 1967.

Kelly joined the Hamilton College faculty in 1982 as visiting instructor. In 1985 he became an assistant professor of mathematics and computer science, and in 1991 he was promoted to associate professor. Before coming to Hamilton he taught at the University of New Hampshire, and was senior developmental editor for college mathematics at Houghton Mifflin Com

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