Philanthropist Richard Lublin Praises Recipient of 2015 Duke Teaching Award

Duke University alumnus Richard Lublin congratulated Dr. Michael Hardt for being chosen as the recipient of the Richard Lublin Teaching Award at Duke for 2015. Dr. Hardt is a Professor of Literature, Romance Students and Bass Fellow at Duke's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Hardt is the 29th recipient of the Richard Lublin Teaching Scholarship since it was first awarded in 1993.

As a philanthropist, Lublin issued a plea for fellow philanthropists to endow teaching awards at colleges and universities across the country. “Recognizing teaching excellence should be more than just a handshake,” said Lublin. “An endowed teaching scholarship provides a meaningful way for a college or university to recognize its most dedicated professors and their deep commitment to teaching excellence. It can be the catalyst for a standout college professor like Dr. Hardt to expand a research project or develop new ways to teach a new generation of students. We need more of them,” Lublin added. “And I hope those who have the means, will step up and endow a teaching award at an educational institution that is close to their heart.” Duke Today described Dr. Hardt as a professor who "provides further evidence that Duke's academic superstars can also be teachers." Hardt developed a vigorous undergraduate major program called Global Cultural Studies. His work on critical theory has been translated into 25 languages. Hardt also taught a full course schedule this past year despite being editor of South Atlantic Quarterly, which would have allowed him to take a reduced load. “Receiving this teaching award encourages me to find new ways to share with undergraduates what excites me in my research,” said Hardt. “It is gratifying, of course, to have my teaching recognized. But beyond that, endowed awards – especially awards for teaching – help orient the university to encourage what it values most. In the end, teaching awards reaffirm that teaching and intellectual relationships with undergraduates are at the heart of the institution and its mission.” The Richard Lublin Award is one of four endowed teaching scholarships presented annually to distinguished educators within the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences at Duke. The recipient of the award receives a $5,000 scholarship and is recognized at a ceremony in April and again at the University's annual Founders' Day ceremony in October.