For the spring 2025 semester, the University of Nevada, Reno Faculty Senate Campus Affairs Committee has honored five individuals with Foundation Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty Awards, one receiving the Outstanding LOA award and four others honored as Exceptional LOAs. The recipients of the Outstanding and Exceptional LOA awards are deeply honored by this recognition and grateful that their areas of expertise are being highlighted.  

Outstanding LOA Amy Absher  

Absher’s engaging classes help students build reading, writing and research skills in complex topics. Absher teaches religious studies, social movements and two sections of core humanities. Her approach fosters and develops critical thinking by encouraging students’ independent assessments of historical documents. Students are immersed in the course via weekly discussions and paper and pen notetaking. Absher considers diverse student populations while  building academic skills.  

“What I enjoy most about teaching is that it is a sacred trust and an opportunity to care for my students,” she said. “Everyday I appreciate their kindness toward me and how invested they are in the classes. When I am with my students, I feel they are teaching me how to live with an open mind and an open heart.”  

“This award is significant for me because it is something I can share with my students. We all work hard to create the classes together. This award is an indication that the classes have been meaningful and contributed significantly to my students' lives,” Absher said.

Exceptional LOA Awardees  

 John Jeffery Auer IV, Karthikeyan Baskaran, Bill Doherty and Paul Klein were all named Exceptional LOA faculty instructors for the semester. 

John Jeffery Auer IV 

Auer has proudly taught all core humanities courses, he also created CH203 with an LGBTQ emphasis.  

Teaching allows Auer to open student’s eyes to the value of humanities. “I've enjoyed teaching core humanities as a way to help open students' eyes to the value of the humanities in general at a time when many students are being told it doesn't have any value,” Auer said. 

In core humanities students examine the history, philosophy, cultural values, political systems, literature and artistic works that have shaped societies throughout the world from ancient times to the present.  

“It is an amazing recognition of the time and effort that I've tirelessly given to the College of Liberal Arts furthering their mission over the past ten years,” Auer said.   

Karthikeyan Baskaran 

Baskaran teaches several courses including electronic properties of materials, thermodynamics for materials science, phase transformation and kinetics of materials, elements of material science and engineering and materials characterization techniques. 

For Baskaran teaching has allowed him to keep up with the latest studies. Baskaran enjoys the aspect of learning and sharing his findings with students who are equally as fascinated in this field.  

“This recognition provides both validation and an opportunity to discuss my teaching philosophy and techniques with others, as I get a chance to interact, learn, and share ideas to refine my own approach,” Baskaran said.  

Bill Doherty 

Doherty teaches the fundamentals of integrated computer security and mobile computer security and privacy in the computer science department.  

Doherty’s favorite part about teaching is watching the students use their knowledge and skills they learn in class to do whatever they set their mind to, including finding amazing work opportunities after graduation. 

Doherty also works with the Nevada Cyber Club, in which participating students have won national competitions from the concepts they have built in the club's workshops.  

“I put a lot of time and energy into my position because I enjoy it, but it's always great to realize other people have noticed your work,” Doherty said.  

Paul Klein 

Klein  teaches a variety of classes including political campaigns and elections, local and state government, citizen participation pressure groups and political movements.  

Klein enjoys sharing his fervor for politics with his equally passionate students and witnessing their enthusiastic ability to weave theory into real-world contexts.  

 “I’m sincerely thankful for the exceptional leadership of our department chair, Carolyn Warner, Ph.D., whose insight cultivates such a thriving academic community,” Klein said, “This acknowledgment is profoundly significant to me, reflecting a career devoted to politics and the craft of teaching.”  

About the awards 

The Faculty Senate’s Campus Affairs Committee awards are given after a careful review of nominations, and they honor and acknowledge excellence at work by the recipients. Each individual recognized embodies The Wolf Pack Way with their commitment to using what they have learned and providing it for the benefit of others.