By Amanda Hunt
Arizona Daily Wildcat
She is the kind of teacher who will go out of her way to help students and thinks nothing of working evenings and weekends.
For these reasons and many others, Kamakshi Murti, associate professor of German was selected as the recipient of the 1995 Five Star Faculty Award.
Students from the Honors Center award committee, other organizers and colleagues in the German studies department surprised Murti in one of her classes yesterday to present her with a certificate of recognition and German chocolate cupcakes for her class. Murti will also receive a plaque, a $1,000 check and a gift certificate to Anthony's in the Foothills at the Honors Awards Dessert Banquet at the end of the year. Her name will be engraved on a plaque in the Terrace Lounge along with past recipients of the award.
Teary-eyed, Murti accepted the certificate and said, "I'm glad (the presentation) happened here in front of you (students)."
Murti said she was overwhelmed by the award and that the recognition from students is what makes the award meaningful. "Students are what we're all about," she said. "This is as much an honor for me as it is for them.
"I've taught for so long, 17 years, and it's the little things that have made it a joy," Murti said.
"There is no better teacher for this award. I'm surprised she never won before," said Jennifer Webb, English and German senior.
"Office hours mean nothing to her; she's there for everyone," said Karen Plummer, women's studies senior.
Webb said Murti is not only always available, but even offered to drive her mid
to the airport when her grandfather died. Murti is planning to leave on sabbatical next year and Webb said everyone will miss her. "She makes the whole department," she said.
Murti's colleagues agreed that she is a dynamic part of the department and devotes many hours outside of the classroom, including many evenings and weekends.
"She cares more about students than any teacher I've ever met," said Thomas Kovach, head of the German studies department.
The award is entirely student-sponsored and was started in 1983. In the decision-making, a subcommittee of 15 students visited the classes and conducted interviews with the candidates. They also evaluated personal statements from the candidates and comments from students in the classes.
More than 200 different teachers were nominated this year and five were selected as finalists by the quality and content of their student-given nomination. The other finalists will receive certificates of recognition and $100 checks. They are William Bickel, professor of physics; Dan Dolata, assistant professor of chemistry; Adel Gamal, professor of Near Eastern studies; and Jim Todd, adjunct professor of political science.
"All five choices were really excellent; it was a really tough decision," said committee member Christina Lowe, French and linguistics sophomore.