Barry Qualls Named NJ Professor of the Year

November 17, 2006

Members of the Rutgers Community:

I am delighted to report that Professor Barry Qualls, a gifted teacher who has devoted his career to excellence in undergraduate education, has been named 2006 New Jersey Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

Dr. Qualls, a professor of English literature and Interim Vice President for Undergraduate Education, has taught and mentored Rutgers students since 1971. Legendary for his student-centered teaching style and his passion for Victorian novels, he has also taught popular courses on poetry, Shakespeare, and the Bible as literature. Barry's leadership extends well beyond the classroom. Over the years he has been instrumental in building Rutgers'
programs of study in African-American literature, women's literature, and women's and gender studies. Most recently, he chaired with distinction the Task Force on Undergraduate Education on our New Brunswick/Piscataway Campus and is a key part of the team that is implementing historic changes in undergraduate education approved by the Board of Governors in March.

As I stated in nominating him for this award, Dr. Qualls is one of the most dedicated, committed, and well-respected teachers at Rutgers. He is richly deserving of this award, which brings honor to all the outstanding faculty members on all our campuses who challenge, enlighten, and inspire our students to reach their full potential as students and as citizens.

Please join me in congratulating Barry Qualls on this great honor. To learn more, please read the news release at http://urwebsrv.rutgers.edu/medrel/viewArticle.html?ArticleID=5465.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey