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Excellence in Instruction Award

  • Instruction Award

Winner of the 2008 Excellence in Instruction Award:

Nancy Brenowitz Katz

Nancy Brenowitz Katz


Nancy Brenowitz Katz has been with the Department of Nutrition and Food Science for nearly six years. Nancy took over as Dietetics Program Director when the previous director of 19 years was terminally ill. Nancy had almost no guidance as to how to run the Dietetics program, teach classes and advise students. She rose to the hallenge magnificently making sure that all aspects of her job were completed in a high quality manner. The students, staff, faculty and Nancy’s contacts at the American Dietetic Association (ADA) were extremely impressed with her performance and ability to rise to the challenge. During the Fall of 2003, she oversaw an onsite evaluation of the NFSC Dietetics program by the ADA. Not only was the program granted reaccreditation, but was cited as being among the top 10% of Dietetics programs in the nation.

Nancy has taught a wide variety of courses in the Department including: Elements of Nutrition, Food Science, Foodservice Operations, Methods of Nutritional Assessment, Medical Nutrition Therapy and Issues and Problems of Nutritional Assessment. She has been an active participant in the NFSC 100, Elements of Nutrition, one of the largest classes offered by AGNR with about 1,000 students each year. NFSC students enjoy Nancy’s teaching, and her participation in this class assists in recruiting students into NFSC as majors.

She maintains a large network of guest speakers through her involvement in many professional associations in the DC Metro area. She is frequently a guest speaker in Gemstone, Honors and UNIV 100 classes on campus. She is also a Gemstone Mentor and her team “Food and Nutrition Awareness to Initiate Change” (FANATIC) developed a nutrition and fitness website that was marketed to college freshmen to increase their knowledge about nutrition and fitness. She has been repeatedly recognized for her excellent teaching by many professional organizations and in 2006 was named the American Dietetic Association’s Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year.

Her advising load has increased from 73 to 153 due to her enthusiastic outreach and recruitment efforts. She helps her students find part time jobs and assists them in the daunting application process for Dietetics Internships - a requirement in becoming a Registered Dietitian. Appreciation by students in course evaluations is sincere and reflects her commitment to all aspects of undergraduate education.

Award Details

Candidates must be dedicated and demanding teachers, clearly demonstrating effectiveness in working with students. Example criteria might be increasing student enthusiasm and involvement in learning, successful graduate student training, innovation in course and program development, evidence of student contribution to science or society, successful efforts in encouraging student enrollment, etc. All faculty and staff with an academic appointment by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are eligible for this award. The same person may receive this award more than once during his/her career in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
  • Each department, program, or unit in AGNR is encouraged to make at least one faculty/staff nomination for the Excellence in Teaching Award
  • Nominations from non-university sources are also encouraged
  • Nominating packets should include:
    • 1-2 page nominating letter
    • 1-2 page narrative of accomplishments
    • Total package not to exceed 3 pages
  • Nominations are due by February 13 of each year
  • 5 copies of the nominating packet should be submitted to Gail Yeiser, 0106 Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742

Previous Recipients...

  • 1970 Leonard R. Fernow
  • 1971 Arthur H. Thompson
  • 1972 John E. Foss
  • 1973 Donald H. Messersmith
  • 1974 Larry Douglass
  • 1975 Jerry V. DeBarthe
  • 1976 T.F. Albert
  • 1977 D.T. Hawes
  • 1978 R.L. Baker
  • 1979 B.V. Lessley
  • 1980 E. Strickling
  • 1981 John H. Wheatley
  • 1982 Elmer L. Cooper
  • 1983 Lee P. Grant
  • 1984 R.R. Weil
  • 1985 Marla McIntosh
  • 1986 James L. Heath
  • 1987 Donald V. Schlimme
  • 1988 David Sammons
  • 1989 Brenda Alston-Mills
  • 1990 Phillips W. Foster
  • 1991 J. Kevin Mathias
  • 1992 Henry G. Mityga
  • 1993 Richard A. Ahrens
  • 1994 Leon H. Slaughter
  • 1995 Suzanne R. Curtis
  • 1996 Bruce R. James
  • 1997 Estelle Russek-Cohen
  • 1998 Robert G. Chambers
  • 1999 Geoffrey E. Dahl
  • 1999 Geoffrey E. Dahl
  • 2008 Nancy Brenowitz Katz

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 05/30/2008