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CSU-Pueblo chemistry professor to be honored at BOG meeting

Release Date: August 04, 2015

Cora Zaletel

Executive Director, External Affairs

Colorado State University-Pueblo

719.549.2810

CSU-P Press Release

Press Release

PUEBLO – A chemistry professor who helps his students navigate the often intimidating field of organic chemistry will be honored as part of the Colorado State University System Board of Governors meeting at Colorado State University-Pueblo later this week with the 2015 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Dr. David Dillon, assistant professor of chemistry, will accept a plaque from the CSU System Board of Governors at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 7 in the Occhiato University Center East Ballroom. As the University’s top teacher, he received a stipend from CSU-Pueblo at the end of the Spring semester. 

The Board of Governors and its institutions are committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching. In 1993, to support this commitment, the Board established the Board of Governors Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards. Awards are presented annually to a faculty member from Colorado State University, CSU-Pueblo, and CSU-Global Campus.

Dillon began teaching at CSU-Pueblo as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry in 1998 and later became a tenure-track assistant professor of chemistry. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in chemistry from East Texas State University and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from the University of Wyoming. 

 He is recognized by both the students he teaches as well as his peers for his excellence in teaching and mentoring students. His primary teaching responsibilities are in the organic chemistry curriculum, a field which often strikes fear in the minds of incoming science students. In addition to effective instruction in the lecture hall and laboratory, Dillon holds weekly open study/problem sessions during regular semesters and daily study/problem sessions during summer courses.  Due to his meaningful lectures, effectiveness as a teacher and constant availability, students are able to understand this complex subject.  

His students have routinely scored above the national average in performance on American Chemical Society exams for organic chemistry. In 2010, he received the Students’ Choice Award from the Associated Students’ Government, which recognizes faculty and staff who have had a significant influence or impact on students’ lives. In 2014, Dillon co-authored a book chapter on organic chemistry in the Innovative Uses of Assessment for Teaching and Research that was published by the American Chemical Society. In addition to this book chapter that disseminated information related to the pedagogy in the classroom, Dillon’s research activities include development of laboratory exercises for two organic chemistry laboratory courses at CSU-Pueblo. He is constantly looking for ways to optimize his instruction in the lecture and laboratory settings.

Dillon has also mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students in the research laboratory – many of whom have gone on to present research results at regional and national meetings.  Many former and current students have been inspired by Dillon to pursue graduate degrees.  As noted by one of his students, “his outstanding ability as a professor, mentor, and genuine sincerity and commitment to see all students succeed,” set him apart from his peers.​​

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.

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