Holden receives teaching award

Ben Holden, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Journalism, has received the Teaching Excellence Award from Illinois Student Government. The award is the highest honor that the student body has for educators at Illinois.

Students nominate educators who have had a significant impact on their academic experience. The Teaching Excellence Awards are open to any TA, instructor, professor, or lecturer. The Academic Affairs committee votes on the nominations.

Holden’s nomination came from a student in Media Law 311. She stated:

“Professor Holden pushed his students to put in their absolute best work and top it by 10%. His style of teaching is unlike any professor I've ever had. A political science student, I've never felt more determined or inspired to attend law school. It was a class in the College of Media, and his teaching and experience in both politics, law and journalism inspired all of us. Moot Court was an incredible opportunity to try out being a lawyer -- we not only learned how to write actual court briefs, but we got to practice our attorney public speaking and debate skills in front of an actual district attorney, Champaign's Julia Reitz! His etiquette and passion for teaching is most definitely a significant qualifier to receive a teaching excellence award.”

Holden’s name will be added to a plague that will hang in the Senate Complex in the Illini Union. He will also be honored, with other winners, at a banquet.

Congratulations to Ben Holden!