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The apple of their eye

From Public Affairs | 14 April 2009

Robb Willer (left) enjoys the fruits of the Golden Apple Award, presented to him during class in 2050 VLSB by award committee chairman Sammy Averbach. (Steve McConnell/NewsCenter photo)

BERKELEY — Robb Willer's social psychology class was pleasantly interrupted by the arrival of a basket of apples on Tuesday as students presented him with the Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Teaching.

"His lectures are webcast, yet the room is full every day because watching the Willer comedy hour on the screen is nothing like experiencing it firsthand," student Sophie Teitelbaum wrote in her nomination letter for the ASUC-sponsored award. Willer, an assistant professor of sociology, was chosen from among 100 student nominations.

In addition to the basket of apples, Willer will receive $2,000 for a project of his choosing. A formal award ceremony is set for April 29.

This is the Golden Apple Award's fifth year. Last year's winner was city and regional planning professor Ananya Roy, and the wildly popular historian Leon Litwack won in 2007, just before retiring.