Every year, the Duke Alumni Association honors a handful of individuals who embody the University’s commitment to knowledge in the service of society. These awards give the Duke community an opportunity to thank those extraordinary members for their effort and dedication.

This morning, undergraduate Erin Brown surprised SSRI Director Tom Nechyba with news he won the 2017 Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award. Sponsored by the Duke Alumni Association for more than three decades, this student-selected award honors a Duke professor who has excelled as a teacher, advisor, and leader of undergraduate students.

Brown, who’s also the Ubben Fellow for Student Programs with the Alumni Association, informed Nechyba of the honor and formally presented him with an invitation to the Teaching and Leadership Ceremony in Duke Gardens in April. Both the Distinguished Alumni Award and Nechyba’s Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award will be presented at the ceremony.

The award includes a $5,000 gift from the Alumni Association and a $1,000 donation to the Duke library of Nechyba’s choice.

Congratulations, Professor Nechyba!