Alex Moore Professor of Chemistry Dr. Kevin L. Bartlett helps sophomore Chelsea Pierson and junior Asher Danner with some data analysis for chemistry lab on Tuesday. Bartlett was recognized as Faculty Member of the Year during the President's Convocation Tuesday morning in Royal Brougham.

He was doing two lectures a day, and he still found time to tutor a student late into the night.

"Dr. Bartlett, you're going to miss your bus."

He looked at the clock. It was past nine o'clock at night.

"Oh, don't worry; I'll take the next one."

He ended up staying for more than an hour longer.

Rachel Ellis, a sophomore biochemistry major, remembers that night, which was only one of many times when Dr. Bartlett stayed late to help students. The students that have taken organic chemistry from Dr. Bartlett remember his energy, his commitment to students, and his caring attitude.

"He's such a great guy," Ellis said. "He's the leader of a pack of kids that have been through hell and back -- by hell I mean organic chemistry."

This year, the university honored Dr. Bartlett with the Professor of the Year award at the annual President's Recognition Convocation. The annual ceremony includes honoring of professors, staff members and other people who have made outstanding contributions to the university.

Dr. Bartlett has taught for three years at SPU, following a brief stint at Princeton University and graduate work at the University of Washington. He is best known on the SPU campus for teaching organic chemistry. Bartlett also received the Bernard A. Nelson Award for Excellence in Organic Chemistry in 1995, and was a Dow Scholar from 1991-95.

The Professor of the Year award was presented to Dr. Bartlett by Michael Kitson, president of Associated Students of Seattle Pacific (ASSP). Staff and faculty awards are chosen by ASSP after reading student submissions.

Jonny Anderson President Eaton presents his Award for Excellence to Associate Professor of Physics Stamatis Vokos during the Convocation in Recognition of Faculty and Staff Service in Royal Brougham Tuesday morning.

"Over 250 students nominated professors, and many fulfilled the requirements, but only one stood out," Kitson said. "He makes organic chemistry, one of the most notorious and difficult classes on campus, engaging."

Dr. Bartlett expressed happy surprise at receiving the award.

"It's wonderful, a real blessing," he said in a brief phone interview. "I've enjoyed the opportunity to work with students. It's a high priority of mine to be involved with all [of them]."

Bartlett also said that he hopes to keep improving his class and teaching style, but said he hoped that his class sizes wouldn't get too big for him to know the students personally.

According to several of his students, Bartlett's highly interactive teaching style is one of his strong points. His classes regularly have less lecture time with an emphasis on laboratory "hands-on" work.

"He puts so much extra time into his students," said Katie Klug, a junior and chemistry major. "He's always looking for ways to teach better and to implement new procedures."

According to Klug, Bartlett set up outside of class study sessions, making sure that his students understand what is being taught in class. He employs older chemistry students in these study sessions, giving them the opportunity to help teach freshmen.

Klug, who currently grades assignments for Dr. Bartlett, had much to say about his demeanor towards students.

"He's really fun to be around," she said. "He has a lot of integrity and passion."

Dr. Bartlett is very dedicated to his work, said Rachel Ellis.

"He works so hard for us -- he gave me his cell phone number so I can call when I need to ask a question," she said. "He has stayed up until three writing tests for class."

Jared Hiebert, a sophomore who does research with Bartlett, agreed.

"Bartlett's an awesome prof (sic)," said Hiebert. "He's got a huge passion about chem (sic), and is sometimes up super late trying to help students."

Hiebert said that Bartlett approached him about doing research in synthesizing compounds. Their studies are interesting, he commented, but that they would be long and difficult to explain to a layperson. Hiebert said that he is most impressed with Bartlett's involvement with students.

According to President Philip Eaton at the President's Recognition Convocation, the honor ceremony was about honoring people at SPU who have gone beyond normal circumstances and stood out in service and integrity.

"It is a privilege to work with smart people," he said. "But it is incredibly important to work with good people."

Bartlett's Professor of the Year award adds him to an honorable list of fine examples of instruction and moral values at SPU. Previous award winners include Drs. Frank Spina, Ed Smyth and Janet Blumberg.