Charles "Chuck" Walker, a professor of history and the director of the Hemispheric Institute on the Americas, received the Associated Students of UC Davis highest teaching award, the Excellence in Education Award.

The award was given to Walker at an event in late spring, organized entirely by the Associated Students at UC Davis. The finalists were invited, and the award was given to Walker, surprising him completely. Joked Walker, "I saw other finalists there had lots of people and flowers, so I figured I was close but no cigar."

Walker's teaching award isn't monetary, but it is a true honor for him. "I'm delighted with it, because it's completely student run and organized with no faculty input. When I was interviewed during the process to make their decision, it confirmed how good these students truly are and how important our teaching is to them."

In citing the reasons why Walker received the award, students lauded him for his passion and interest in them as human beings. They also recognized his effort to make every lecture interesting, which Walker stridently assures are not "dry, monotone 60 minute talks."

The award came at an especially important time in Walker's life as he said farewell to his mother, who passed away last winter. His mother, Walker said, was a "third grade teacher in Watsonville and always made it clear to me that teaching was the most important aspect of my job."