Academics

John Yen awarded 2015 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award

John Yen, professor of information sciences and technology (IST) and senior faculty member in the IST graduate program, has been awarded the 2015 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award. Yen is also an affiliate professor of computer science and engineering, is on the Graduate Faculty of Biomedical Engineering and a member of Penn State Cancer Institute Population Health and Cancer Control Research Program, and serves as director of strategic research initiatives in the College of IST.

The Graduate Faculty Teaching Award was established in 1992 by the Graduate School, and is given to faculty members in recognition of their outstanding teaching performance and dedication to mentoring and advising doctoral students.

“John’s graduate student mentorship is truly exceptional given the diverse hats he has worn in our college,” noted Carleen Maitland, interim associate dean for undergraduate and graduate studies in the College of IST.  “In addition to mentoring students, he has served as professor-in-charge and associate dean for research. At one point during his tenure as associate dean, the college had a vacancy in the other dean position and, for a time, we jokingly referred to John as ‘Associate Dean for everything.’” Maitland said. “John’s enthusiasm and energy for the profession is infectious and hence it is not surprising he was nominated and supported by his students for this award.”

Yen joined the faculty at Penn State in 2001 and has shown consistent leadership in the Graduate School. He was awarded an IBM Faculty Award in 2012, an IEEE Fellow in 2000, and an NSF Young Investigator Award in 1992. He has served on the graduate recruiting committee, and on the graduate advisory council, but Yen is best known for his bright energy, his love of learning and his dedication to students.

“Professor Yen is like a coach,” read one former student’s recommendation letter. “He leads the research team and encourages each member to become a leader, too.”

“John Yen’s passion for learning is infectious,” said Mary Beth Rosson, professor and interim dean of the College of Information Sciences and Technology. “His students benefit from his wealth of knowledge, his experience and his devotion to bettering the world via technology. He fosters learning environments that encourage students to work toward achieving their potential.”

“Receiving the award was a total surprise,” said Yen.  “It reminded me that our main mission is not only discovering new knowledge through mentoring research of graduate students, but also inspiring students to find their passions, and hopefully arrive at the “Aha” moments during their research journey.”

One former student remarked, “Dr. John Yen is not only an advisor of my Ph.D. program but also an advisor for my life.”

John Yen, professor of information sciences and technology and senior faculty member in the graduate program in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State, has been awarded the 2015 Graduate Faculty Teaching Award.  Credit: Emilee Spokus / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated April 23, 2015

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