OSU chemistry professor captures top teaching award

Dr. Richard A. Bunce, professor of chemistry at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, received the Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University at the May 18 Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet. The banquet, which featured a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman, will be televised statewide at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25, on OETA. 

Now in his 29^th year at OSU, Bunce has established a national reputation as a leading organic chemist, recently earning a grant for the development of broad-spectrum antibiotics to treat drug-resistant anthrax. 

Bunce brings his expertise and passion for chemistry to the classroom, where he teaches introductory chemistry for majors and non-majors as well as upper-level and graduate courses in organic chemistry. As the undergraduate adviser for all chemistry students at OSU, he has been credited with doubling the number of chemistry majors in the past five years. 

“Chemistry is considered to be a difficult subject by many students and is often frightening to entering students,” said colleague Barry K. Lavine. “With patience, kindness and availability, Richard is able to relate to undergraduates and interact with them in such a manner that an atmosphere of trust develops.”  

In the classroom, Bunce intersperses demonstrations and real-life examples to illustrate concepts. He sets clear expectations for success and offers strategies for studying.

“Rich’s classes are outstanding in every way,” said former student Paul B. Jones, now on the chemistry faculty at Wake Forest University. “He is an exceptional lecturer, but also works hard to establish a rapport with the large number of students enrolled. At the same time, he is demanding and leads his students to rise to his expected level of performance.”

Richard Bunce, chemistry professor at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, accepts the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University during the 27th annual Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet in Oklahoma City. The prestigious award is presented to only one Oklahoma educator at the research university level. The Academic Awards Banquet, which featured a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman, will be televised statewide at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25, on OETA. (Photo by David Wheelock)

Bunce is a pioneer in promoting research with undergraduates at OSU, and has involved 70 undergraduates in his research work, taking great care to familiarize them with advanced research techniques and instrument operation. University of Kansas colleague Paul Hanson said Dr. Bunce “sets the bar” in preparing students for graduate school, and schools aggressively recruit his well-trained student researchers.  Bunce has been recognized twice with the OSU College of Arts & Sciences Outstanding Adviser Award and was the 2010 OSU Regents Distinguished Teaching Award winner.