By Molly Sharlach
Computer Science faculty members Ruth Fong, Peter Henderson and Pedro Paredes have been recognized at the annual School of Engineering and Applied Science Excellence in Teaching Awards. Engineering students honored outstanding educators on April 4. Organized by the Engineering Council, the awards recognized outstanding instructors in courses held during the spring semester 2023-24 and the fall semester 2024-25.
Student presenters expressed gratitude to instructors for creating positive learning environments and for encouraging students’ ideas and endeavors — in some cases influencing students’ career goals well beyond the classroom.
First-year student Christal Chen said that her academic adviser, Ruth Fong, a teaching faculty member in computer science, was pivotal in helping Chen “manage the chaos” of her first few weeks at Princeton.
And as an instructor in the introductory course COS 126, “[Fong’s] precept was one of the most interactive and engaging ones I’ve been in, because she intentionally created an environment where we not only can learn effectively but also get to know our classmates better,” said Chen. “Her attention to detail, kindness, and genuine care for her students make her an outstanding professor and adviser.”
Peter Henderson, an assistant professor, was recognized for his course COS 352: Artificial Intelligence, Law & Public Policy. Pedro Paredes, teaching faculty member, was recognized for COS 226: Algorithms and Data Structures.