Dr. Ian MacKenzie, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, is being honored with the 2023 Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.
“I feel incredibly grateful and honored to receive this award,” said MacKenzie, who has been at UW-Platteville since 2019. “All of my achievements have been built upon the many gifts and blessings I have received from others, and this award is a direct result of the nurture and support that has been poured into me over the years. I am grateful for my loving wife, Sarah, who greatly supports my teaching and for all the teachers, colleagues, friends and students that have helped me grow and develop in my teaching.”
MacKenzie, who described his teaching style as interactive and conversational, hopes students who take his classes will take away an infectious feeling of joy in exploring the world of chemistry, a deep satisfaction of knowing they are valued and an immense pride of knowing that they not only survived but actually thrived because, not in spite, of something difficult.
“I am incredibly grateful that I get to be a part of students’ lives, see them grow personally and walk with them through joys and challenges,” said MacKenzie, who is also a father of five. “It really is an honor and one that I greatly enjoy.”
MacKenzie will be recognized at the university’s annual faculty and staff convocation on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The Early Career Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes a tenure-track faculty member who has made distinguished contributions to the mission of the university as an outstanding teacher.