David Anderson, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, is the recipient of the Stan and Sandy Rives Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award. He will be honored at the Founders Day Convocation on February 18.
The award is given to a member of the Illinois State University community to recognize outstanding teaching or significant contributions to the undergraduate experience, with special attention given to the first-year experience.
Anderson received his Ph.D. in philosophy and religion from Harvard University, then joined Illinois State University in 1988. According to Philosophy Chair Tom Buller, “within a few years of joining ISU, Anderson became interested in the philosophy of the mind and cognitive science and he began to develop a vision for an undergraduate research and curriculum project in cognitive science to enhance undergraduate education.” Anderson is known for being an engaging and accessible teacher and an extraordinary researcher making significant contributions to undergraduate education at Illinois State.
His influence on students has had a great impact. Former student Robert Arrigo, M.D., recalls how extremely engaged freshman and sophomore students were during Anderson’s difficult course. He said, “It is not overstating the case to say I simply could not have done it without David. The confidence and curiosity he groomed in me from the earliest days of my renewed college career, and the rich research experiences he gave me eventually…culminated in a barrage of peer-reviewed publications during my biomedical informatics MS/MD training and secured my position in Stanford’s Department of Anesthesia.”
Stan Rives earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State. He was a member of the Illinois State faculty, and served as an administrator from 1958 until 1980. The Stan and Sandy Rives Excellence in Undergraduate Education Award was established in honor of his longtime commitment to an undergraduate program of the highest quality and for his contributions to Illinois State as dean of Undergraduate Instruction.
