Dr. Wei R. Chen, University of Central Oklahoma
2011 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Regional University/Community College
The recipient of the Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Regional University/Community College is Dr. Wei R. Chen, professor of engineering and physics and assistant dean of the College of Mathematics and Science at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Chen helped establish Oklahoma’s first and only Biomedical Engineering Program for undergraduates at UCO and served as its first program director from 2000 to 2006. He has gained international recognition for the development of laser immunotherapy for the treatment of late-stage, metastatic cancers. Chen uses his laboratory research as an extension of his teaching, involving students from high school to the post-doctoral level in life-saving cancer research.
UCO Provost William Radke describes Chen as “a teacher at heart.” Chen has developed transformative learning strategies that are rooted in his Chinese heritage, including teaching according to a student’s ability, using an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research, and using inquiry-based learning to help students make discoveries through real-world research and experience. Chen is the recipient of UCO’s highest teaching honor, the Neely Teaching Award, and has been recognized for his creativity as an Oklahoma DaVinci Fellow. He is the recipient of numerous national honors, including the 2008 U.S. Professor of the Year Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the 2011 U.S. Fulbright Award.
One former student praised Chen as a role model who teaches that, “Contributing to society and the human race is a higher order of our education and career.” In Chen’s classroom and lab, students learn about the impact of their learning and research through the experiences of treating cancer patients. “I challenge my students to save or change at least one person’s life for the better in their career,” Chen said.
During the Academic Awards Banquet, Chen will be one of two family members recognized. His daughter Vivian, a senior at Edmond Santa Fe High School, will be honored as an Academic All-Stater. Chen’s son, Jason, received an Academic All-State Scholarship in 2005.