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SLU-Madrid's Charles El Mir Awarded Professorship for Teaching Excellence

by Isaiah Voss on 04/29/2024

04/29/2024

Gregory Triplett, Ph.D., dean of SLU's School of Science and Engineering, traveled to Madrid to personally congratulate and present the honor to Charles El Mir, Ph.D.

On Thursday, April 25, Triplett awarded El Mir with the Eugene Kranz Professorship for Excellence in Teaching.

"I celebrate Dr. Charles El Mir for a teaching professorship. It was always my vision to recognize excellence in research. It's one of the reasons why institutions are prominent — because they develop new knowledge," said Triplett. 

He also noted how fitting it was to recognize El Mir's research at NASA with an award named after Eugene Kranz, a former NASA chief flight director, and alumnus of Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, Class of 1954.

A person holding a diploma standing on a stage in front of a group of people hands the diploma to the winner.

Triplett, right, awarding El Mir with Professorship for Teaching Excellence in the San Ignacio Hall Auditorium on April 25, 2024. Photo by Isaiah Voss.

The honor is a first for the School of Science and Engineering in both St. Louis and Madrid.

"It gives me a great deal of pride that we are not only leading the charge for Saint Louis University, but we're creating new opportunities for faculty nationwide," said Triplett.

While addressing fellow faculty members and SLU-Madrid students, El Mir gave a shout-out to his students. He also thanked Triplett for his continued support.

A group of people posing for a photo while the man in the middle holds a certificate.

El Mir (center) poses with his students in front of the San Ignacio Hall reception desk. Photo by Isaiah Voss.

"You have made sure to enrich the Madrid and St. Louis campuses," he said. "On the mechanical engineering side, we are fully witnessing this tight-knit relationship with our colleagues on the St. Louis campus."

He mentioned Triplett's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for the Madrid campus.

"We definitely feel heard and seen, so thank you for bringing the exposure to SLU-Madrid. It is also a testament for the quality of teaching that all the faculty members on this campus engage in. And, we're not just a study abroad location, we are one SLU. We're a small campus that aims for large-scale excellence."