HU Honors Two Faculty with Teaching Award

Hampton, VA - President Dr. William Harvey awarded Dr. Jale Akyurtlu, professor of chemical engineering, and Dr. Charles Bump, associate professor of chemistry, with the Edward L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Award during the 64th Annual Opening Convocation held in Ogden Hall on Oct. 1.

Akyurtlu received her bachelor of science and master of science degrees in chemical engineering from the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, and received her doctor of philosophy in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

She joined HU in 1986 and has made great inroads in her department that include creating the campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation to further research in the area of nanotechnology.

Bump came to Hampton in 1979, one year after President William R. Harvey was inducted. He started as an assistant chemistry professor and became an associate professor in 1989. Having come from a family of teachers, Bump estimates he has taught about 3,000 students in the past 27 years and says of chemistry, "it's too hard to take serious."

Bump earned his bachelor of science in chemistry from Hartwick College and the doctor of philosophy in organic chemistry from Pennsylvania State University. Some of his additional interests include the Virginia Choral Society, Virginia Academy of Science, American Chemical Society, and Boy Scouts of America.

Since the 1960-61 academic year, Hampton University has recognized outstanding faculty members who have distinguished themselves in the endeavor of promoting quality, postiveness, hard work and service through The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. In 1994, the award was renamed the Edward L. Hamm, Sr. Distinguished Teaching Award after it was endowed by former Hampton University trustee Edward L. Hamm, Jr. who honored his father in its name. Each year one or two faculty receive the award after being nominated by their peers and / or students and selected by the university president. The recipients consistently attain teaching excellence by going above and beyond the classroom and inspiring their students to have a passion for learning and commitment to excellence.

Hampton University, a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, is a privately-endowed, non-profit, non-sectarian, co-education, historically black university. It is located in southeastern Virginia and boasts one of the loveliest campuses in the nation, with a picturesque waterfront and historic buildings and landmarks. Comprised of seven schools, a Graduate College and a College of Continuing Education, Hampton University is among the leaders in higher education.