Faculty Members Receive Distinguished Teaching Award
Seth Bush, a chemistry professor, and Dylan Retsek, a mathematics professor, both received the Cal Poly Distinguished Teaching Award for 2012-13. The universitywide award honors tenured faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching, innovative instructional approaches, and concern for individual student success, among other criteria.
Dr. Seth Bush, Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
Seth Bush’s unique insight into chemistry and the learning process helps challenge students to go beyond the written learning objectives.
“He has a knack for understanding where students are having difficulties and explaining concepts in a way they can understand,” wrote a student. “Students have the opportunity to discover concepts with their own hands.”
Bush is known for his concern and compassion for students and is always willing to try new paths that will help unlock a student’s understanding. “If a student truly does not understand a concept, Dr. Bush doesn’t give up,” wrote a student. “He provides the student with more opportunities to learn.”
A biology freshman said, “I hated chemistry before taking this course, but I no longer see it as difficult or frightening. It is fun and interesting. Dr. Bush could not have been more helpful, interactive, descriptive or memorable. He is a wonderful teacher, and I looked forward to his class every day.”
Bush has been teaching at Cal Poly since 2005. He earned a bachelor’s in chemistry from Reed College and a doctorate in physical chemistry from UC Berkeley.
Dylan Retsek, Associate Professor, Mathematics Department
Dylan Retsek continually pushes the boundaries of academic success with carefully thought-out and well-executed lesson plans.
Students praise his ability to communicate in plain English, avoiding mathematical jargon. When introducing new material, he demonstrates it in real-life applications, making the material more relevant and easier to comprehend.
Retsek encourages students who have questions or concerns to seek him out and frequently schedules appointments outside his regular office hours. “There has never been a single time when my questions went unanswered,” wrote a student.
Another student said, “It is clear that Dr. Retsek enjoys what he does and thrives in a numerically driven environment. It is that drive — that desire — that I want to have for my own life and career. Seeing his happiness in a subject that I have never really cared for has caused me to see past the textbook, past the homework and into how I can utilize this material for my future.”
Retsek joined the Cal Poly faculty in 2003 and earned a bachelor’s in mathematics from Cal Poly and doctorate in mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis.
