Kalita, Danao recognized for teaching excellence

Prasanta Kalita and Mary-Grace Danao, faculty members in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE), have been recognized for excellence in teaching at the 58th Annual Conference of North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA).

Kalita, a professor and leader of the soil and water resources engineering program in ABE, was the recipient of the NACTA Teaching Award of Excellence. This award is presented to one individual who demonstrates excellence in post-secondary instruction in agriculture. To qualify for the award, a NACTA member must have previously received the NACTA Teacher Fellow Award and currently be on a full-time appointment involving at least 25 percent teaching.

Kalita is a University Distinguished Teacher Scholar at Illinois and has won numerous departmental, college, and campus awards. Other teaching awards include the USDA National Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching and the NACTA Central Regional Outstanding Teacher Award. He has been actively involved in a multi-year project on an agricultural innovation partnership (AIP) for developing and reforming agricultural curricula in India, as well as working to establish a “Center for Teaching Excellence” at several Indian universities.

Danao, an assistant professor in ABE, received the NACTA Teacher Fellow Award. This is NACTA’s initial faculty award, given to individuals early in their career, whose efforts represent the very best in agricultural higher education. To qualify for the award, a NACTA member must have been on a full-time appointment involving at least 25 percent teaching for a minimum of five of the past seven years.

“My goal in teaching and advising is to make a positive difference in students’ lives and foster a love of learning,” said Danao. “As a student, I was nurtured and encouraged by faculty, and I think the best way to repay them is to pass that on.”

Danao has provided leadership to the department in biological engineering curricular design and implementation. She serves as a freshman and sophomore advisor for all ABE students and teaches two of the department’s required courses.

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Source: Prasanta Kalita, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 217/333-0945.

Writer: Leanne Lucas, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 217/244-2862.

If you have any questions about the College of Engineering, or other story ideas, contact Rick Kubetz, editor, Engineering Communications Office, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 217/244-7716.