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UA prof named Ariz. Professor of the Year

Hal Larson, a UA professor in the Department of Planetary Sciences, was recently named Arizona Professor of the Year by a national organization devoted to advancement in education.

Winning the award, which is given by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to honor inventive and outstanding teachers, was "like getting recharged," Larson said.

"It's a tough audience," he said. "Classes themselves have personality - you'd think all classes are the same, but they're not. It's always interesting to walk in on a first class and wonder what's going to happen."

Larson said he enormously enjoys his work at the University of Arizona. After receiving his physics doctorate from Purdue University in 1967, he joined the faculty at the UA, where he has worked since 1969.

"It (UA) is my first and only real job," Larson said. "It's home. I enjoy traveling but I'm always looking forward to returning."

The Carnegie Foundation focuses on strengthening U.S. schools and colleges. Larson was nominated for the award by his colleagues and selected by a panel for the foundation.

A professor who has established himself as an innovator, Larson helped develop the current tiered general education system. He also helped develop within his department the Teaching Teams program, which utilizes graduate teaching assistants and undergraduate preceptors to offer the class an interactive, student-oriented learning experience.

This fall, Larson is teaching a section of Natural Sciences 102 called "Universe and Humanity, Origin and Destiny," an entry-level planetary sciences course. He admitted that his class is not always easy, but he tries to make it interesting for his students.

"Having a little fun with this is something I try to do," he said. "Sometimes it isn't perceived as fun, but it's what drives me at times."

Larson said he also tries to expand his students' perceptions through science.

"I enjoy the ability to open up minds and eyes - when it does happen it's really refreshing," he said.

"The idea is to make science relevant. If you don't have a scientific perspective, you're just guessing," Larson added. "We don't need more scientists, we need more literate citizens."

Larson's first occupation was research, with an emphasis on airborne astronomy. Though he is still involved in research, Larson said he has found a second love in teaching.

"It's a second career, but it's not just a job," he said. "It's a privilege to work with these young people. I'm very happy - I love what I'm doing."

This is not the first time Larson has been honored for his teaching. Last spring, he nabbed the UA's Provost General Education teaching award. He has also won the UA College of Science Innovation in Teaching award and numerous research prizes.

"He's first rate," said Robert Strom, UA planetary sciences professor and a colleague of Larson. "He's probably one of the best professors in this university."

Strom also rated Larson as the top professor in the planetary sciences department.

"I don't think there's anybody better," he said.

Betty Kaye Atwell, an education junior in Larson's natural sciences class, agreed that he is an excellent professor.

"I think he's a great teacher," she said. "He doesn't just try to give you the answer - he tries to make you think about it."