Distinguished Professor Award Winner: Dr. Hugh Lee

Dr. Hugh Lee, Teaching Professor for the Department of Bioethics and Interdisciplinary Studies, was named recipient of the ECU’s Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award in May 2020. Dr. Lee was nominated by Department Chair Dr. Maria Clay, as well as Dr. Leigh Patterson, associate dean of the Office of Faculty Development.

The extensive application for this award includes a 50-page nomination packet, both faculty and student letters of recommendation, a statement of teaching philosophy, samples of course materials and summaries of student evaluations.

Dr. Lee teaches jointly at both the Brody School of Medicine and the Department of Political Science on Main Campus. Dr. Lee serves as the primary instructor for Political Science pre- law concentration. Some of his courses include Constitutional Powers, Civil Liberties, American Judiciary and Legal Reasoning and Negotiation. At the Brody School of Medicine, Dr. Lee teaches Bioethics, Health Care Policy, Ethics and Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law, Judiciary, Administrative Law, Aging Policy and Civil Rights and Civil Liberties.

How long have you taught at ECU?
I have taught at ECU since January 2015.

What is your teaching rank?
I am a Teaching Professor, having recently been promoted from Teaching Associate Professor in the last year.

Who nominated you?
My department chair Dr. Maria Clay recommended me to Dr. Leigh Patterson, who nominated me as one of Brody School of Medicine’s nominees for this year. Faculty letters of recommendation were submitted by Dr. Todd Savitt, Dr. Ken DeVille, and Dr. Carmine Scavo. I also received three letters of recommendation from former students.

How did you navigate the application packet process?
There is a very specific nomination process that has to be followed and suggested materials for the packet. I have attached my final packet, though you probably don’t need it. Essentially, it requires that you provide your nomination and recommendation letters, a statement of your teaching philosophy, samples of your course materials, and summaries of your student evaluations.

Is there any plan to be recognized in person by the Board of Governors or ECU? Or will it just be a virtual recognition?
I believe that ECU will run a story at some point, but so far, they have only announced the awards virtually. Normally, there would be an awards ceremony but that has been preempted by the COVID crisis.