The John S. Diekhoff Award is presented to four full-time faculty members who make exemplary contributions to the education and development of graduate students at Case Western Reserve University. The award was created in honor of John Diekhoff, who served in several capacities during his tenure. From 1956 to 1970, he served as professor of English, chair of the Department of English, dean of Cleveland College, acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies and vice provost of the university.
In 1978, the university created the award to recognize outstanding contributions to the education of graduate students through advising, mentoring and classroom teaching. Initially, the award was presented to two full-time faculty members who serve as outstanding mentors to graduate students, connect them with experts in their discipline, engage them academically and actively promote their professional development. In 2009, the award was expanded to recognize two full-time faculty members who excel in the teaching of graduate students. The award is sponsored by the Graduate Student Senate and School of Graduate Studies. A committee of graduate and professional students reviews the nominations and recommends the winners. Diekhoff Award recipients are honored at the School of Graduate Studies diploma ceremony.
Learn more about the Diekhoff Awards.
2023 Award Recipients
For excellence in teaching:
Karla Coburn, DDS, PhD, Professor of Anatomy
For excellence in mentoring:
Bill Yu, PhD, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Andrew Pieper, MD, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry
Jason Mears, PhD, Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Prior Award Recipients
For excellence in teaching:
Jessica Kelley, PhD, Professor of Sociology
Nathanial Schreiner, PhD, Assistant Professor
For excellence in mentoring:
Karen Abbott, PhD, Professor of Biology
Polyxeni Philippidou, PhD, Assistant Professo
For excellence in teaching:
Philip A. Cola, PhD, Associate Professor, Weatherhead School of Management
Andrew Crofton, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine
For excellence in mentoring:
Jessica Fox, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences
Daniel Goldmark, PhD, Professor, Department of Music, College of Arts and Sciences
For excellence in teaching:
Karen Potter, MFA, Professor and Chair Department of Dance
James Spilsbury, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, School of Medicine
For excellence in mentoring:
Eva Kahana, PhD, Distinguished University Professor, Department of Sociology
Anant Madabhushi, PhD, F. Alex Nason Professor II of Biomedical Engineering
For excellence in teaching:
Brian Gran, JD, PhD, Professor, Sociology and Law
Maggie Vinter, PhD, Assistant Professor, English
For excellence in mentoring:
Brian Cobb, PhD, Professor, Pathology and Director, Immunology Training Program
Elina Gertsman, PhD, Professor, Art History and Art
For excellence in teaching:
Christopher J. Burant, PhD, Associate Professor, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Thomas E. Love, PhD, Professor of Medicine, and Population & Quantitative Health Sciences
For excellence in mentoring:
Eileen P. Anderson-Fye, EdD, Associate Professor of Bioethics
Paul Tesar, PhD, Dr. Donald & Ruth Weber Goodman Professor of Innovative Therapeutics, Associate Professor, Genetics and Genome Sciences