The University of Arizona 5-Star Teaching 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

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

ABOUT SHERRI

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

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

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