A UF professor could be in line to win another award for his teaching skills.
George Christou, a UF chemistry professor, was one of 14 faculty members at Southeastern Conference universities to win the Faculty Achievement Award, he said. He learned he won the award Wednesday. One professor from each university in the conference won the award, and now he could win a 2017 SEC Faculty Achievement Award.
Christou was nominated after winning the 2015-2016 UF Teacher/Scholar of the Year award, he said. His UF classes include inorganic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.
To receive the award, Christou created a package summarizing his research, scholarship and contributions to the chemistry and science communities.
“All my international activities, conference organizations and intenational teaching is also an additional part of the package,” Christou said.
From the 14 nominees, the SEC will choose one for the Professor of the Year Award, which will be announced in April.
"It's a great honor to effectively be representing UF as a nominee in the SEC,” Christou said. “We are never too old to get a pat on the back when we’re doing a good job, and it’s nice to get that from my university.”
Kylie Mitchell, a UF fifth-year chemistry graduate student, said she wasn’t surprised when she heard Christou received the award.
The 27-year-old said he explains chemistry in different ways to make sure his students understand the material.
“Just by sitting in his class, it feels like you can easily understand any topic,” Mitchell said. “He has a huge passion for chemistry, he just truly loves it.”
George Christou
