Teresa Bals-Elsholz, Ph.D., professor of meteorology and chair of the Valparaiso University meteorology department, has been recognized by the American Meteorological Association (AMS) with the 2024 Edward N. Lorenz Teaching Excellence Award.
This annual award goes to a professor who demonstrates "innovative and engaging teaching, making challenging curricula accessible and enjoyable, enthusiastic career-long mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of atmospheric scientists, especially empowering women” (award citation).
“I really love getting to that ‘a-ha!’ moment with students,” Professor Bals-Elsholz says. “I am very proud and happy that I have been able to teach so many Valpo meteorology students, and especially to so many women meteorologists.”
Professor Bals-Elsholz has been at Valpo for 23 years. As an instructor, she covers a wide range of students, from freshman coming in to Introduction to Meteorology to upper-classmen learning atmospheric dynamics and the ins and outs of meteorological computer systems. Professor Bals-Elsholz has contributed to publications such as the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology and the Journal of Climate.
Professor Bals-Elsholz will formally receive the award at the 2024 Annual AMS meeting in Baltimore. As department chair, Professor Bals-Elsholz leads a robust and successful program that boasts alumni like Chief Meteorologist for ABC news Ginger Zee and ABC7 Chicago’s Larry Mowry. For more information on the department, visit valpo.edu/geography-meteorology.
