Wednesday, March 30th, 2011

Assistant Professor James Stevens of the College of Architecture and Design has won Lawrence Tech’s Teaching and Learning Using Technology award for 2011, and Assistant Professor John Tocco of the Department of Civil Engineering has won the Henry B. and Barbara J. Horldt Award for Excellence in Teaching for 2011.

Provost Maria Vaz announced the awards and invited the campus community to a reception for the two award recipients on Thursday, April 7, at 2 p.m. in room M336 of the Buell Management Building. Cake and punch will be served.

This annual technology award was established in 2009 to honor faculty who have used or are using technology in innovative and exemplary ways to improve their students’ learning.

Stevens joined the Lawrence Tech faculty in August 2008.  He focused his teaching and research in the area of digital fabrication technology and advanced parametric modeling software. He has introduced several technologies: Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining, 3D plaster printing, CNC hot-wire cutting, parametric modeling software education, and full-scale fabrication assembly. This innovative use of technology has enabled students to bridge the gap between the digital model and a full-scale realization.

In the fall of 2010, Stevens established makeLab, the digital fabrication laboratory in the College of Architecture and Design, to take advantage of emerging technologies. It provides a place where students can fully engage in design, fabrication and assembly of architecture.

The mission of makeLab is to use digital fabrication as an entrepreneurial opportunity and to demonstrate the theory and practice of design through technological and manual competencies.

This annual excellence in teaching award is funded by Lawrence Tech alumnus Henry B. Horldt in honor of his father who was a professor of mechanical engineering at Ohio Northern University.

Tocco has been teaching at Lawrence Tech since 1993. During that time he has served as the vice-chair for the University Assessment Committee, the assessment coordinator for the Department of Civil Engineering as well as the civil engineering coordinator for the ABET accreditation preparation.

Tocco also served on the Department of Civil Engineering Advisory Board and participated in the development of master’s-level certificate programs.  He is a 1983 alumnus of Lawrence Tech with a bachelor of science degree in construction engineering.  He has taught both graduate and undergraduate students.

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