NJIT Professor Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Laurent Simon, an associate professor of chemical engineering at NJIT, received a Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Society for Engineering Education.

Simon, of Somerset, was recognized by the society for his “exemplary teaching.” With great enthusiasm, he challenges his students with stimulating assignments and projects, counsels them before graduation and remains available to them as they enter the workforce.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive a Distinguished Teaching Award from this prestigious society,” says Simon, who teaches in NJIT’s Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering. “I love to teach and hope to continue to have a positive impact on future engineers.”

This isn’t the first time that Simon has been recognized for his impassioned teaching. At NJIT, he has won both an Excellence in Teaching Award (2007) and the Master Teacher (2009) Award. In 2009, The Newark College of Engineering (NCE) also recognized Simon’s contributions by awarding him the Saul K. Fenster Innovation in Engineering Education Award.

“Professor Simon has a sustained record of teaching excellence at NJIT,” says Basil Baltzis, interim dean of NCE.

“His contributions involve excellent performance in the classroom, teaching innovation, curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate level, publication of a textbook (as sole author), mentoring undergraduate, graduate and high-school students in research as well as involvement with assessment and accreditation issues. His being awarded this Distinguished Teaching Award is very well-deserved.”