Distinguished Teaching Award

Andrew H. Jones, Recipient 2010

An electrical engineering professor who has the knack of turning digital electronics into an exciting topic was chosen as this year's recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award at Lake Superior State University.

Andrew Jones Ph.D. received the award during commencement ceremonies today in LSSU's Taffy Abel Ice Arena. The recipient, chosen by LSSU employees and students, is kept secret each year until announced during the ceremony.

"I'm speechless," Jones said after being asked to come up to the stage to accept his award. Greeting his students, he said, "It has been a great privilege, no, an honor, to serve you…I enjoy interacting with you."

Jones came to LSSU in 2005 from Purdue University, where he was teaching after earning his doctorate in electrical and computer engineering there in 2002. He received his master's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue in 1993 and his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Texas at Austin in 1991.

"The Distinguished Teacher is a member of the LSSU community who exemplifies the best of our university," said LSSU Provost Tony Blose. "This year's recipient has been described as not just a professor, but also a mentor and role model. He has been a breath of fresh air since his arrival and has impressed students with his superior knowledge of subject matter, demonstrated great love of teaching, and boundless enthusiasm."

Jones lists artificial intelligence and data mining, environmental sensors and renewable energies, computer vision and image processing as some of his academic interests. He teaches senior design classes, microcontroller fundamentals, intro to engineering, robotics engineering, honor thesis, digital systems design and many other classes. He serves on several LSSU committees, has been faculty advisor for the student IEEE chapter and the LSSU Pep Band, and a mentor for the Sault Schools FIRST Robotics Team.

Blose said Jones' teaching style "has been described as 'one of a kind' and he has been appreciated for his motivation and constant support to assist students in reaching their potential in a very challenging discipline."

Jones showed some of that boundless enthusiasm on stage, telling the audience, "Teaching is not just what you do in lecture; it's the energy you bring…Digital electronics can be boring, but we can make exciting!"

He advised his students, "Find that passion and regardless of what your pay is, you'll enjoy your life from here on out…It's been a privilege to serve you and this community."