Excellence in Teaching, 2020
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems
“Best teacher ever.”
That is how many students have described Vanessa Grunkemeyer, COLSA clinical assistant professor of agriculture, nutrition and food systems. One student put an even finer point on it, saying, “Dr. Grunkemeyer may possibly be the most knowledgeable person I have ever met. She treats everyone with respect,and she is also highly respected by everyone in the class.”
Comments like these make it clear that Dr. Grunkemeyer is a dedicated teacher who seeks the best for her students. She has spent countless hours reinventing and redefining curriculum offerings and worked closely with others to advance the quality of COLSA’s animal science program, within which she is a widely respected and valued leader among her peers and collaborators.
One of her senior colleagues perhaps said it best: “Through my many interactions with Dr. Grunkemeyer, I am struck by her intense dedication to her students, her creativity in course design and her attentiveness to the needs of our animal science program and its students.”
We are inspired by Dr. Grunkemeyer’s great work, leadership, and willingness to help students, programs and the college succeed through innovation and dedication. We are pleased indeed to recognize her with COLSA’s 2020 excellence in teaching award.
About this Award
Each year, the University selects a small number of its outstanding faculty for special recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service. Awards for Excellence in Teaching are given in each college and school, and University-wide awards recognize public service, research, teaching, and engagement.
