Each year since 2006, Albany Law has presented the faculty member who demonstrates an unparalleled dedication to the students of Albany Law School through his or her teaching with the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Nomination Form
Professor Christine Sgarlata Chung, 2017 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Professor Christine Sgarlata Chung received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. Professor Chung, whose courses include Business Organizations and Contracts I and II, was described by her students as "a guiding light," "truly one of the best parts of Albany Law," and "a lifetime mentor" who expects excellence and challenges those in her classroom to reach beyond their goals. Professor Chung joined Albany Law's faculty in 2007 and is currently co-director of the Institute for Financial Market Regulation, a collaborative project of Albany Law School and the University at Albany.
Professor Melissa Breger, 2016 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Professor Melissa Breger received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching after an outpouring of support from the graduating Class of 2016. Professor Breger was praised for going the extra mile in and out of the classroom, presenting legal principles with notable clarity, and showing a true interest in the welfare and futures of her students. Professor Breger has been teaching at Albany Law School since 2002. Her courses include Children and the Law, Criminal Procedure: Investigation, Domestic Violence Seminar, Evidence, Family Law and Gender and the Law.
Professor Michael Hutter, 2015 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Professor Michael Hutter received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching after a number of students submitted enthusiastic, detailed and heartfelt nominations on his behalf. Many of the nominations shared common themes, including Professor Hutter's exceptional teaching inside and outside of the classroom, his availability and willingness to share his wealth of knowledge, and the real practice experience that he brings to his instruction.
Professor Hutter's faculty page
Professor Mary Lynch, 2014 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Professor Lynch received the award in 2014, emerging from a field of nominations that totaled nearly half of the full-time faculty. Professor Lynch, in particular, was recognized for her outstanding contribution to teaching in legal education nationally and even internationally. She is the director of the Center for Excellence in Law Teaching and the editor of the blog Best Practices for Legal Education. She also teaches her students the practice of law through her Domestic Violence Prosecution Hybrid Clinic and other classes.
Professor Lynch's faculty page
Professor Beverly Cohen, 2013 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Chosen from more than a dozen other nominated candidates, Professor Beverly Cohen was recognized for her teaching, chosen by the greatest number of students who called her “outstanding,” “talented” and “dedicated.” Some student comments included: “she holds herself and her students to high but not insurmountable standards.” “We understand what she expects;” “she makes herself available to answer questions or problems we have with the course material or our writing.” They praised her assignments returned with “individual feedback” and “model answers.”
Professor Cohen's faculty page
Professor Pamela Armstrong, 2012 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Professor Armstrong received the award for her “remarkable dedication and passion over her 20-year career.” Dean Mayer referred to her as a “go-to professor” for first year-students, noting that she brings to life the teaching of legal writing, and that her students often seek her counsel when preparing for their second year.
Professor Armstrong's faculty page
Interim President and Dean Connie Mayer, 2011 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Dean Mayer received the award in large part due to her versatility in teaching law students, ranging from lecture halls to after-class discussions, integrating state-of-the-art technology with traditional teaching. Before taking the role of associate dean for academic affairs, she has served as associate dean for student affairs, and director of the Clinical Legal Studies Program.
Dean Mayer's faculty page
Professor Norman T. Deutsch, 2010 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Since joining the law school's faculty in 1978, Professor Deutsch has taught thousands of students in Constitutional Law and Contracts. He is also innovative in his classroom, including using electronic polling to motivate class participation.
Professor Deutsch's faculty page
Professor Deborah Mann, 2009 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
Professor Mann's faculty page
Professor Dale Moore, 2008 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, on "Why I Teach"
My immediate reaction to the question "Why do you teach?" is "If given the opportunity, why wouldn't I teach?" Despite being occasionally intimidating, teaching is a challenge, a joy, privilege, and an honor. [More]
Professor Moore's faculty page
Professor Joseph Connors, 2007 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award & Excellence in Service Award
Professor Connors' faculty page
Professor Timothy Lytton, 2006 Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award
"I consider it a great privilege to teach here at Albany Law School given the extraordinary commitment of our students and the fact that following graduation many of them will fill the most important government and private sector positions in the state of New York. Teaching also fuels my scholarship, giving me a chance to develop ideas in conversation with students and to test drive new theories to make sure that they are understandable and grounded in the practical concerns of legal practice." - Professor Lytton
Professor Lytton's faculty page
