© University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences sot Poe at oom Daperonent of Saclgy Foe a Eat eps ‘ssa as January 1, 2017 Dear Selection Committee: T’'m writing the strongest endorsement possible for the nomination of Michael Tillotson for the Tina and David Bellet Teaching Award, Michael is both a brilliant scholar and one of the most gifted teachers I have had the pleasure of observing at the University of Pittsburgh. What 1 ‘witnessed in Michael's classroom was a teacher-scholar who is dynamic, rigorous, thoughtful, and conscientious. His presence and teaching left me speechless, and the breadth and depth of his erudition was inspiring. I have known Michael for about six years as a colleague at the University of Pittsburgh, and have served on several committecs with him, In an institution with as many high caliber scholars as the University of Pittsburgh, I can confidently say that Michael stands out as both a gifted teacher and scholar, My assessment is based on observations of his teaching end instructional materials. My evaluation is organized in terms of (1) Michael’s ability to communicate the subject matter clearly and effectively, (2) His rigorous teaching standards, (3) His mentoring of students, which extends to their development beyond the classroom, (4) His contribution to the discipline of Africana Studies, where he has mentored colleagues and shaped the departmental curriculum, and (5) How he integrates his expert knowledge into his teaching. My classroom observation began with a review of Michael Tillotson’s syllabus, course readings, assignments, and history of lecturing, followed by an in-classroom observation of his teaching. My observation took place on December 8, 2016. During my visit, Dr. Tillotson’s students were engaged, inquisitive, critical, and well informed about the week’s reading, which concerned the ideational frameworks of Africa Studies. His teaching included active discussion with students, individual assignments, and speaking opportunities via questions/answer, along with a more traditional, PowerPoint-based lecture. The class was well attended, with over 100 students present. Additionally, the class was exceptionally diverse in terms of ethnicity and gender. Yet, ‘what most stood out was the brilliance of Dr. Tillotson’s lecture. His teaching style is beyond captivating ~ in one hour, I (as well as the students) learned of the major contributions to philosophy by African and African American thinkers, He effortlessly lectured on the contributions of Fanon, Appiah, and Du Bois, as well as key contemporary figures in Africana Studies, like Molefi Asante. Dr. Tillotson then juxtaposed these thinkers with famous Western philosophers ~ beginning with Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, Hume, and Locke, and ending with moral/political philosopher John Rawls, He delivered one of the most flawless lectures I have ever witnessed and, like the students, I was deeply engaged. Sitting in the back of the room, I could see the students taking copious notes —they hung on Dr, Tillotson's every word. There wasgenuine interest in the room, as evinced in how the students jockeyed to answer questions he posed. Equally impressive, he knew all of the students’ names, as well as details of their past and present assignments, Here was a course that captures the development of an entire discipline, while training students to think critically not only about the origins of race, but also knowledge itself. As a professor at the University, I left his classroom utterly optimistic ebout the content and the quality of instruction our students are receiving. Equally, Michael made me want to be a better professor, While Dr. Tillotson’s teaching is more than compelling, his assignments are also noteworthy, ‘The course included substantial amounts of reading, as well as papers and exams, His reputation asa scholar is nationally recognized, and his pedagogy in Africana Studies has been adopted at a umber of academic institutions. He has published pieces on teaching, including his Journal of Black Studies piece, "Teaching Introduction to Africana Studies: Sustaining a Disciplinary Focus." Also, in 2016, he was elected and appointed to the board of directors of the National Council of Black Studies, and has been invited to give lectures in Africana Studies at Universities across the country, including Indiana University, University of Texas at San Antonio, the Ohio State University, Temple University, and University of Akron —to name a few. And, in terms of advising and mentoring, he is the faculty advisor to the Africana Studies Club and editor of the student journal Imbotep ~ the official undergraduate journal of the Department of Africana Studies at Pitt. Personally, I have witness his students win awards for papers they've developed in his classes, and seen some go on to top graduate programs across the U.S, Dr, Tillotson also contributes to the academic life of the University, For example, it was his cfforts that brought onc of America’s most prominent sociologists, William Julius Wilson, to Pitt for a guest lecture. Wilson, who stated that he rarely gives public lectures, said that it was Michael's gracious and thoughtful request, along with the care end concern that he shows for his students, that led him accept the invitation, To say the least, the Frick Auditorium was packed that day — standing room only. Like many of the skilled faculty at Pitt, Dr. Tillotson is a teacher-scholar. He is well published in all of the top peer-reviewed journals in Africana Studies, and his expert knowledge informs both | his teaching and research in Applied Africana Studies, In summary, Michael Tillotson embodies the ideal qualities of a brilliant teacher, He is a passionate, dedicated educator and mentor, as well as a public intellectual. It is therefore my pleasure to recommend Michael Tillotson for the Tina and David Bellet Teaching Excellence Award, of which I believe he is most deserving, Sincerel; Associate Professor Department of Sociology University of Pittsburgh :