OSU’s Hoback receives national teaching and student engagement award

Thursday, November 5, 2020

An Oklahoma State University professor was recognized by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities with one of only two national teaching awards recognizing excellence in agricultural sciences teaching and engagement.

Wyatt Hoback, associate professor in OSU’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, has been named one of two recipients of the National Teaching and Student Engagement Award. The award celebrates university faculty for their use of innovative teaching methods and service to students.

Hoback, who has been with OSU for six years, uses innovative approaches to teaching in his entomology classes, including letting himself get stung by a cicada killer wasp every semester.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by my peers for my teaching of classes that relate to agriculture in so many ways,” Hoback said. “Teaching university classes in entomology is the reason I pursued a Ph.D., and I am thankful to get to share how insects are important with nearly 1,000 OSU students each year. Receiving national recognition for doing what I love is an unparalleled feeling.”

Doug Steele, vice president of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources at APLU, said all of the award winners should be applauded.

“The high bar they’ve set stands as a powerful example not only to their students, but to other faculty striving to better serve their students,” Steele said.

More information about Hoback’s award, as well as the other award winners from around the country, is available online.

MEDIA CONTACT: Trisha Gedon | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu