Award presented annually to standing Penn faculty
[April 25, 2018; Philadelphia, PA] – Penn Vet’s Ronald N. Harty, professor of microbiology, has earned the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching. Dr. Harty is one of eight faculty members at Penn to receive the award this spring.
Harty serves on a number of committees that exemplify his commitment to students and their education, including the Committee on the Academic Status of Students, the Committee on Academic Promotions, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Faculty Council, and the NIH-Merial Summer Program Admissions Committee.
His research interests include molecular mechanisms of virus assembly and budding, antiviral immune responses and therapeutics, innate immune defense, and virus-host interaction. Harty studies such viruses as Ebola, Marburg, Lassa, and rabies.
Harty received his undergraduate degree in biology from University of Lowell and earned his PhD in microbiology and immunology from Louisiana State University Medical Center.
"Dr. Ron Harty is a quiet wonder,” said Joan C. Hendricks, VMD, PhD, the Gilbert S. Kahn Dean of Veterinary Medicine. “He is a great citizen and an excellent researcher and has conducted his required virology courses in an effective, very engaging fashion that is frankly remarkable. I could not be more delighted that his light has received this recognition!"
Writes one student nominator, "Dr. Harty has presented himself as a beacon of support for the students, offering much needed humor to the class throughout his lectures. He advocates for his field with great enthusiasm and inspires us to do the same.”
His students describe the time and effort he takes to ensure they leave each lesson with a meaningful understanding of the material necessary for their clinical education. “I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Dean Hendricks, all of my faculty colleagues, and of course the students for their support,” said Harty. “It is truly an honor to be the recipient of this prestigious teaching award. I am humbled to be included on the list of previous and distinguished honorees of this award from the University.”
The Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching at the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1961 with the help of the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation. Christian Lindback was president and principal owner of Abbotts Dairies, Inc. and a trustee of Bucknell University. The Foundation established Lindback Awards for Distinguished Teaching at colleges and universities throughout Abbotts Dairies, Inc.’s service area in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
Penn gives out eight Lindback awards each year, four to those in health-related disciplines and four to those in other departments and divisions. Award winners are determined by nominations and recommendations made by faculty and students based on detailed criteria.
The winners of the award are chosen by two separate committees – one in the health schools and one in the non-health schools – consisting of six previous award winners and four students.