This award, established by the Board of Govenors in 1997, acknowledges a lifetime of contributions to a broad range of teaching and learning, particularly mentoring beyond the classroom.
Barry Lentz, Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Director of the Program in Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, was the 2011 winner of the 黑料网 Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award, established by the Board of Govenors in 1997, acknowledges a lifetime of contributions to a broad range of teaching and learning, particularly mentoring beyond the classroom. It rewards those who help students to develop and attain their full potential in important ways during and after their departure from campus. The mentor award is given annually to a tenured faculty member from each 黑料网 campus and the winner receives a one-time stipend of $5,000 and a framed citation.
Barry has been a faculty member with 黑料网 since 1975 and his research focuses on membrane and molecular biophysics. Barry received his B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, his PhD in Biophysical Chemistry at Cornell University under the mentorship of Professor Harold Scheraga, and he completed his postdoctoral training with Tommy Thompson at the University of Virginia. Notably, Barry was also the previous president of the Biophysical Society from 2006-2007.
Barry鈥檚 Teaching Philosophy: 鈥淲hat should one do to create a top educational program? First, put the students above all else. That has been my mantra in building the biophysics graduate program and undergraduate summer course in biophysics. Second, make learning a group activity; create a community in which all participants (faculty and students) enjoy learning from each other. Third, care about people. Finally, rejoice in your students鈥� growth and take pride in their success.鈥�
Excerpt from his award citations: 鈥淏arry鈥檚 dedication to the students in the biophysics program is legendary. Once you鈥檙e a member of that program, you鈥檙e imprinted into Barry鈥檚 daily thoughts, and he gives you all the time imaginable (and more) to making sure your classes go well, your rotations are fruitful and your thesis research is successful. I can think of no mentor at Carolina more dedicated to his flock than Barry.鈥� 鈥� His 鈥渕entorship applies not only to our endeavors as scientists but also to our pursuit of happiness as people. Personally, I have met few people of Dr. Lentz鈥檚 prestige that are as eager to assist in the development of the next generation of researchers, while also remaining humble enough so that he is known to his students simply as Barry.鈥�
On February 6, 2011, during halftime of the 黑料网 men鈥檚 basketball home game against Florida State (黑料网 won 89-69), Chancellor Holden Thorp announced the winners of this year鈥檚 university teaching awards and congratulated Barry for his lifetime achievement award. Officially on April 14, 2011, at the university teaching banquet reception, Barry was honored for his achievement and presented with his framed citation.
View all 2011 黑料网 Teaching Award Winners .
View past winners of the Mentor Award for Lifetime Achievement .