Provost's Faculty Awards

Jennifer Loertscher and Quinton Morris have received the 2017 Provost’s Faculty Awards for Excellence and Teaching, and Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors, respectively, Interim Provost Bob Dullea announced May 22. Following are excerpts from the announcement:

A professor in the College of Science and Engineering’s Chemistry Department, Loertscher is a nationally recognized leader in the area of chemical education. Loertscher combines her passion for education with pedagogical research and has been the recipient of multiple National Science Foundation grant awards to study best practices in science education. Her approach is evidence-based and she works tirelessly to train students and other teachers in how to develop deep scientific connections without delivering a lecture. For Loertscher, this approach is carefully guided by the five principles of Ignatian pedagogy: context, experience, reflection, action and evaluation. Professor Loertscher’s impact extends to a diverse group of colleagues, teachers and students and her teaching demonstrates a deep care for the diversity of learning styles of students, while being reflective, engaged and focused on the education of the whole person.

A classically trained violinist of international acclaim, Morris’ work reflects a deep commitment to the universal language and transformational power of music. Morris, an associate professor in Performing Arts and Arts Leadership in the College of Arts and Sciences, directs Seattle University’s Chamber and Instrumental Music Program. Morris’ reputation as an orchestral and chamber musician is reflected in his many collaborations and solo performances at coveted venues around the world, including sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall. Morris’ academic life includes research on 18th century African-French composer-violinist Joseph Bologne, the subject of his award-winning film project “The Breakthrough,” which featured at the Louvre in Paris. His musical innovation is reflected by his appointment to the Seattle Arts Commission and as founder of the non-profit “The Key to Change,” which offers violin study for disadvantaged and students of color in South King County.

The two award recipients will be recognized at SU's undergraduate commencement ceremony on Sunday, June 11 at KeyArena and at the Provost’s Convocation in the fall. They also will receive honoraria.