Dennis N. Assanis Named Arthur F. Thurnau Professor

U-M MEAM CPO / Shekinah Errington

"Professor Assanis showed me that success was not about individual grades, but about improvement, learning, and understanding. Through his course, he taught me that the world is more than what is in front of me. And through his teaching style, he showed how excitement and hard work can lead to unlimited possibilities." —Ramon S. Johnson

"It was Professor Assanis' confidence in my abilities and genuine concern for my future that inspired me to pursue a graduate degree. I am certainly no special case; Dr. Assanis takes a sincere interest in every one of his students. He is an effective leader because he demands excellence while recognizing the broad range of interests, backgrounds, and potential of the diverse student body at the University of Michigan." —Stephanie M. LaCrosse

Professor Dennis N. Assanis is excited about his teaching—and genuinely cares about passing on his knowledge and enthusiasm to his students. And it shows. These comments from recent MEAM students and alumni typify the positive impact he has had on his undergraduate and graduate students, as well as MEAM and the field of engineering as a whole.

For his dedicated service, Assanis was recently named the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor by the University of Michigan. Thurnau professorships were established in 1988 to recognize outstanding contributions to undergraduate education. As a recipient, Assanis will hold a three-year appointment and receive a $20,000 grant to support activities that enhance his teaching mission.

"A successful educator must love teaching and be able to convey excitement for learning to his or her students," says Assanis. "I try to take a holistic approach and effectively use time outside the classroom to advise, mentor, and teach students. Good advice and broadening of their perspective can have a critical impact on their future careers."

Assanis has had a long commitment to undergraduate education. He has taught at least one undergraduate course every year since he began his academic career. For his efforts, Assanis has received the 199899 GM Outstanding Level of Instruction Award, the 1998 ASME/Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal Award, the 1998 U-M MEAM Excellence in Teaching Award,

the 1997 SAE Ralph Teetor Award to outstanding young educators, the 199194 University of Illinois—Champaign-Urbana (UIUC) University Scholar Award, and the 1988 Lilly Teaching Fellow Award.

"His teaching evaluations at both the University of Illinois and MEAM have been truly superb," says MEAM Chair and William Clay Ford Professor of Manufacturing A. Galip Ulsoy. "His passion for undergraduate teaching builds excitement in his students. He knows when to be patient and supportive and when to challenge them. He has repeatedly elevated the student- professor relationship to new heights."

Assanis joined the MEAM faculty in 1994, after serving as an associate professor at the UICU. In this short time at MEAM, he has revitalized the Department's teaching and research efforts in the field of internal combustion engines and breathed new air into the W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory.

In addition, Assanis is the founding director of the Master's Program in Automotive Engineering (MEng AutoE), which has an enrollment of 75 students in just three years. In this role, he has pursued international collaborations for joint degree offerings with universities around the globe, including the University of Aachen in Germany, University of Loughborough in England, and the NUS in Singapore. Assanis also serves as the faculty advisor for the U-M chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and as co-advisor of the CoE Future Car Team.