The Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Teacher Award
Joel Spira received a B.S. in Physics from Purdue in 1948. In 1961, Joel started Lutron Electronics, a privately held company that initially made light dimmers. Joel's insight into technology and manufacturing enabled him to build Lutron into a dominant force in the dimmer market.
The Ruth and Joel Spira Outstanding Teacher Award began in 1988, and is presented each year to a junior faculty member who has excelled in teaching and inspiring students in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The recipient receives $2000 cash, a personal plaque, and their name added to a permanent plaque displayed in the main hallway of the EE building. The award is presented at the ECE awards banquet in the fall.
Past recipients:
| Recipient | Year |
|---|---|
| Amy Reibman | 2017 |
| Shreyas Sundaram | 2016 |
| Mark C. Johnson | 2015 |
| Milind Kulkarni | 2014 |
| Zhihong Chen | 2013 |
| Niklas Elmqvist | 2012 |
| Chih-Chun Wang | 2011 |
| Dan Jiao | 2010 |
| Steve Pekarek | 2009 |
| Mithuna Thottethodi | 2006 |
| Dimitrios Peroulis | 2004 |
| William J. Chappell | 2003 |
| Michael A. Capano | 2002 |
| Barrett Robinson | 2001 |
| Rashid Bashir | 2000 |
| Thomas M. Talavage | 1999 |
| Carla E. Brodley | 1998 |
| Ragu Balakrishnan | 1997 |
| Edward J. Coyle and Leah H. Jamieson | 1996 |
| Sarah Kate Wilson | 1995 |
| Peter C. Doerschuk | 1994 |
| Vwani P. Roychowdhury | 1993 |
| Mark R. Bell | 1992 |
| George R. Wodicka | 1991 |
| Michael D. Zoltowski | 1990 |
| John K. Antonio | 1989 |
| Anthony A. Maciejewski | 1988 |