Engineering Professor Named Outstanding Teacher

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Ed Clausen

The Midwest Section of the American Society of Engineering Educators has named Ed Clausen, professor of chemical engineering, as its 2011 Outstanding Teacher.

Clausen, holder of the Ray C. Adam Endowed Chair in Chemical Engineering, has been teaching in the Ralph E. Martin department of chemical engineering since 1981. Currently, he teaches Chemical Engineering I, Introduction to Chemical Engineering II, Professional Practice Seminar and Chemical Engineering Reactor Design.

Department head Tom Spicer explained that Clausen’s generous nature and rapport with students make him an outstanding teacher. “Dr. Clausen is able to put students at ease and make them feel welcomed,” said Spicer. “He is extremely generous with his time when it comes to students and keenly interested in helping them understand the material.” 

Clausen’s favorite classes are Introduction to Chemical Engineering I and II, which give freshman and sophomore students the skills they need to solve complex engineering problems. “It is really neat to watch the development of young chemical engineers as we arm them with the tools to make them successful,” he said. 

In addition, Clausen is the director of the honors program in the College of Engineering, which he describes as “the best thing we’ve done at the university since I’ve been here.” Clausen explained that students benefit from the study abroad and research opportunities that Honors College funding makes possible.

The best thing about the Honors College, according to Clausen, is the students. “I’m working with a group of students that is really sharp,” he explained. “They’re able to do lots and lots of things, and essentially the future is limitless for them.”