The 10 most-read CU Connections features of 2018

1. Seven exceptional faculty members are CU’s newest Distinguished Professors
The University of Colorado on Friday introduced seven newly designated Distinguished Professors, the highest honor awarded to faculty across the CU system’s four campuses.

2. President’s Diversity Award recipients honored for contributions to inclusive excellence
The CU President’s Diversity Award committee has announced three awards for 2018. The President’s Diversity Award recognizes significant achievements of faculty, staff, students and academic or administrative units in developing a culturally and intellectually diverse university community reflective of inclusive excellence.

3. Three CU faculty named President’s Teaching Scholars
Three faculty members at the University of Colorado have joined the roster of President’s Teaching Scholars, those CU educators who skillfully integrate teaching and research at an exceptional level.

4. Positive forces at CU and beyond: Four honored with Service Excellence Awards
Four University of Colorado staff members were honored on Friday for their contributions to the university and their communities during a luncheon ceremony, hosted by the University of Colorado Staff Council, which sponsors and selects the winners of the Service Excellence Awards.

5. Michael Mozer studies how people learn – and how to make them better at it
Developing ways to optimize the power of learning, both for man and machine, has been a focus of Michael Mozer’s research for many years. Mozer, a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Institute of Cognitive Science (ICS) at CU Boulder, is studying the most effective ways of teaching so that humans can better consume and retain information.

6. Six CU researchers named Boettcher Investigators
Six University of Colorado researchers at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and CU Boulder have been named Boettcher Investigators in the Boettcher Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program for 2018.

7. Classical vocalist Erin Hackel connects with students who sing a different tune
Erin Hackel’s talent and love of vocal music landed her on stages singing opera and musical theater. She puts that experience to work as an associate professor at CU Denver’s College of Arts and Media, in the Music and Entertainment Industry Studies Department, which she joined in 2003.

8. Thomas Jefferson Award honorees exemplify CU’s best in service, leadership
Representing the faculty, staff and student populations, three University of Colorado community members have been named recipients of the 2018 Thomas Jefferson Award. It is among the highest honors given at CU, the state’s largest institution of higher education.

9. Physician burnout a creeping epidemic in health care
More than half of United States physicians experience substantial symptoms of burnout, with consequences that extend to family, patients and the entire health care system.

10. In business and education, entrepreneurship expert Erick Mueller takes the road that’s more fun
Movement is key to the mission of Erick Mueller. Travel – be it for teaching, for business, or leisure and discovery – figures prominently in conversation about his life. In teaching at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, he shows how to take an idea and advance it into fruition.