Chris Bauer was the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Professor Award at this year's annual Faculty Excellence celebration, held last month. His citation from the event notes that "his dedication to serving chemistry and education extends well beyond UNH, and this has been especially impactful here in New Hampshire. After more than four decades of service at UNH, Bauer remains among the most effective, energetic, and productive chemistry faculty members in the country."
Bauer is known globally as a pioneer in chemistry education research. When he started the CER Ph.D. track in the chemistry department at UNH, it was one of the first in the country and is still regarded as one of the premier programs in the world. Bauer was also the primary advocate for a formalized center to advance science and mathematics education statewide. He served as a PI with Karen Graham, Dawn Meredith and Eleanor Abrams for the UNH IMPACT Center, which ultimately became endowed as the Leitzel Center for Mathematics, Science and Engineering Education, which continues to spearhead educational reforms and professional development in the K-12 arena across the region.
