Choi nabs 'prof. of the year' award

Author: Julia McKinnon

"Confucius says that the greatest happiness is your students knowing more than you do," quoted Professor Sunhee Choi. This is a saying that inspires the academic life of Vermont Professor of the year Choi, department chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and Support of Education bestowed this award to Choi in honor of her dedication to teaching. The award entailed a trip to Washington DC with a celebration in honor of the winning professors and a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

Choi and her husband, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry James Larrabee, have taught at Middlebury since 1987. When Choi arrived at Middlebury, she was new to the art of teaching. "I learned as I went," she said. She has came a long way to Vermont from her birthplace in Korea.

Choi grew up in Taegu, Korea and went to Seoul National University where she received her undergraduate degree. She was the only girl among 30 chemistry students. Her motivation in this setting drove her to obtain a graduate degree at Princeton University where she finished her studies in 1981.

Following graduation, Choi went on to work for Colgate University for five years doing research. One successful project entailed the creation of a new detergent.

"It is an energy-saving detergent that works in cold water," Choi said. This is particularly useful and in places such as South America where Colgate-Palmolive has its branches. It is useful, Choi explained, where energy costs from heating water for laundry can be a large burden to lower income sectors of the population.

Her enthusiasm for chemistry and innovation radiates the spheres of scientific research and also the classroom. "My formula was so spectacular," Choi said with a large smile. She has enjoyed sharing this zest for compounds and formulas with her students over the last two decades. Choi's mind rarely strays from the classroom.

"When I sleep, I practice lectures," said Choi. "When I take a walk or run, I think about class and lecture." Choi exemplifies the ideal animated professor.

"Every year I feel like I want to do it [teach] right. I'm still learning," Choi said. She sets goals for her own improvement and expects those around her to progress as well.

"She is pretty demanding," said Livia Vastag '07 who has worked in her lab. "But I really enjoy her. She's the most inspiring professor I've had at Middlebury. It's rewarding to work hard."

Vastag added that Choi sets demanding goals in life, as well as in the lab. "She's hard on all sides. She's like, 'take art history, be a well rounded person.'"

Choi accepts that many students find her highly demanding and difficult as a professor.

"I think I am demanding in every way. I am a demanding wife, mother and co-worker. But I don't demand anything I don't do," said Choi. "Every day I demand a little more and then you reach the next level. You achieve more. I don't demand that which cannot be done."

In the end this demanding nature seems to make her bond with her students on a lasting level. Many of Choi's students have come back to thank her for pushing them.

"She's definitely demanding but you learn a lot from her and it pays off in the end," remarked Adam Beard '06.

Her students were responsible for the letters of recommendation sent in to nominate her as Vermont's Professor of the Year.

"I'm so lucky to have all these alumni who eventually forgave me [for being so demanding] and wrote the recommendation letters," Choi said. "I'm very honored."

Choi enjoys the friendships she has made with her former students. "One of the things I feel so good about is that they've accomplished so much," said Choi. "And now we're such good friends."

The recent actions of Beard are telling of the effect Choi has on her students. Beard is working this semester on a senior thesis project under Choi's supervision. He also played a main role in the musical Company. Beard asked Choi if she and her husband would come. Choi agreed, but only if he promised to synthesize a new compound prior to the show.

"The Thursday before the concert he showed me a beautiful pure compound," Choi said. He presented the compound to her along with two tickets to the show.

"We went and it was so much fun. We didn't know he had such a major part," said Choi. When Choi found out that he had been practicing for the musical 12 hours a week on top of working on his project with her, she was thrilled that the musical was over. She joked that now those extra 12 hours a week could be spent with her in lab.

Choi shows herself to be engaged with her students both inside and outside the classroom. In this way she truly contributes to the cultivation of the Middlebury community. A prestigious Yale graduate professor e-mailed Choi after working extensively with some of her students from Middlebury. "He thanked me for sending such well prepared great students," she said.

Choi's steady drive and passion about chemistry have served her well. The accomplishments of her students reflect her dogged dedication to learning and teaching. It is for this effort and enthusiasm that she was awarded Vermont Professor of the Year.