The University of Arizona 5-Star Teaching Award

2024 Five Star Faculty Award

Excellence in Teaching 

The University of Arizona 5-Star Teaching Award, funded by donors Dr. Margaret M. Briehl and Dr. Dennis T. Ray is the only student selected award that recognizes excellence in teaching across The University of Arizona.
 

NominAte

Sherri Silverberg headshot

2024 Winner - Sherri Silverberg

"She is the gold standard of the instructor that combines intellect with a big heart and a role model for all of us."

SHYAM SUNDER
Director of the Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy and Lou Myers Professor of Accounting

Professor Sherri Silverberg is the recipient of the esteemed 2024 University of Arizona 5-Star Teaching Award, funded by donors Dr. Margaret M. Briehl and Dr. Dennis T. Ray. Professor Silverberg is a lecturer of accounting in the Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy in the Eller College of Management. Prior to joining the University in 2015, she worked in public accounting, industry, nonprofits, and consulting. Student nominators said that Professor Silverberg is a wonderful person who cares deeply about her students and thinks proactively and creatively about how to help them learn. She also shows her willingness to learn from her students.

Professor Silverberg views her job as having two parts – what happens in the classroom and what happens outside the classroom. Inside the classroom, she shows students her appreciation of the profession, and that accounting is an important and applicable subject no matter what their eventual major is – from knowing how to account for financial transactions and understanding financial statements to life skills like understanding how their paycheck is calculated and understanding mortgage loans.  

Outside the classroom, she regularly provides opportunities for additional accounting practice, as well as career advice, networking opportunities, and letters of recommendation for students to connect with professionals and internships across the many facets of the accounting profession. 

Get Involved

Image
Image
Students working together

Thank you for your interest in serving (or nominating a student to serve) on the selection committee for the University of Arizona 5 Star Teaching Award, funded by donors Dr. Margaret M. Briehl and Dr. Dennis T. Ray! 

This unique award is one of the University of Arizona’s most prestigious teaching and mentoring honors. It is the only faculty teaching award that is nominated, evaluated, and awarded by undergraduate students.

The W.A. Franke Honors College is looking for dedicated, detail-oriented students from all majors and all backgrounds who are passionate about exceptional teaching and enjoy working in a collaborative, team-focused environment. 

 

What’s in it for you? As a committee member, you will:

  • Gain unique insights by observing top faculty members in action 
  • Enhance your critical evaluation skills through reviewing and assessing nominations 
  • Expand your network by connecting with Franke Honors peers and dedicated faculty across disciplines 
  • Build a lasting legacy at U of A by helping select the next recipient of this honored award (the award has been around since 1983!) 

    The bulk of committee activities will take place from late January through early March during Spring 2025, with a commitment of approximately 3-4 hours per week. If you’re ready to contribute to a high-impact experience while recognizing some of the best faculty our university has to offer, we encourage you to apply!

The University of Arizona 5-Star Teaching Award, funded by donors Dr. Margaret M. Briehl and Dr. Dennis T. Ray 


Dr. Margret M. Briehl and Dr. Dennis T. Ray are the generous donors who fund the cash prize for the 5-Star Teaching Award. Dr. Briehl, is a University of Arizona alumna of both the W.A. Franke Honors College and College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. She has a Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Arizona College of Science and is a retired professor and distinguished researcher. Dr. Dennis T. Ray holds three degrees from the University of Arizona. He has a Ph.D. in Genetics and is a retired distinguished professor who impacted numerous undergraduate and graduate students as a faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Ray was the recipient of the 5-Star Teaching Award in 2003. Margaret and Dennis were inspired to become the donors to the 5-Star Teaching Award and have been the source behind the awards cash prize since 2009. The inspiration for their support was fueled by their passion for recognizing excellence in teaching, among the faculty, and Margaret’s time as an Honors College student. They are both proud of their University of Arizona education and careers.

Meet the donors: 

Both are retired faculty from the University of Arizona.

Dr. Margret M. Briehl 
Dr. Dennis T. Ray 
 

 

Image
Margaret & Dennis Briehl Headshot

Past Winners
 

2024    

Sherri Silverberg, Accounting

  
2023    

Teresa Rosano, School of Architecture

  
2022    

Martha Bhattacharya, Neuroscience

  
2021    

Robert Stephan, Religious Studies and Classics  
 

2020    

Faten Ghosn, School of Government and Public Policy 

2019    

Zoe Cohen, Physiology  
 

2018    

Edgard Obe-Giron, Spanish & Portuguese  
 

2017    

Annette Joseph-Gabriel, French & Italian  
 

2016    

Anders T. Peterson, Spanish & Portuguese  
 

2015    

Steven M. Reff, Economics  
 

2014    

Patrick Baliani, The Honors College  
 

2013    

Alain-Philippe Durand, School of International Languages/Literature and Culture  
 

2012    

Guzin Bayraksan, Systems and Industrial Engineering  
 

2011    

C. Eugene Settle, Physiology  
 

2010    

Paul Blowers, Chemical and Environmental Engineering  

2009

Albrecht Classen, German Studies 

 
2008    

Melissa Fitch, Spanish & Portuguese  
 

2007    

Stephanie Fryberg, Psychology  
 

2006    

Vicente A. Talanquer, Chemistry  
 

2005    

John Folan, Architecture  
 

2004    

David Soren, Classics  
 

2003    

Dennis T. Ray, Plant Sciences  
 

2002    

James Todd, Political Science  
 

2001    

J. Edward Wright, Judaic Studies  
 

2000    

Jon Solomon, Classics  

1999   

 J. Timothy Kolosick, Music  
 

1998   

 Brian F. Crisp, Political Science  
 

1997    

Ana Perches, Spanish & Portuguese  
 

1996   

 Elizabeth Harrison, East Asian Studies  
 

1995    

Kamakshi Murti, German  
 

1994    

Carrol McLaughlin, Music  
 

1993    

Noel Matkin, Speech and Hearing Sciences  
 

1992   

 George H. Atkinson, Chemistry  
 

1991    

Peter Kresan, Geosciences  
 

1990    

William Bickel, Physics  

1989    

Heiko Oberman, History  
 

1988    

Adel Gamal, Oriental Studies  
 

1987    

Robert Burns, Religious Studies  

1985

Donna E. Swaim, Humanities
Jay DeNatale, Civil Engineering

1984

Vicki L. Hamblin, French
Joy J. Winzerling, Nutrition     

1983

Clyde A. Moneyhun, English
William H. Thweatt, Psychology
J. Douglas Canfield, English

Committee Members

Questions About the 5-Star Teaching Award? We are here to help! 

Image
Headshot of Isabella Diponio

 

Image
student in front of yellow wall