2023 Jane S. Link Outstanding Teaching Award

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu

Scott Lawrance

Scott Lawrance, clinical professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, is the recipient of the 2023 Jane S. Link Outstanding Teaching Award.

The award is presented annually to a faculty member in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) who demonstrates outstanding teaching performance across all phases of undergraduate instruction. Award recipients receive a cash award and are recognized at the spring HHS faculty meeting. The award is funded by HHS alumna and HHS Dean’s Leadership Council member Jane S. Link.

Both in the classroom and beyond, Lawrance has made strides in enhancing education for undergraduate and graduate students, from individual mentorship to program development. Lawrance took the lead in crafting a proposal in 2015 for Purdue’s new graduate program in athletic training to meet the updated requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Simultaneously, he built up the undergraduate program, developing a new sports medicine concentration and a combined degree program where students can earn their bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and master’s degree in athletic training in five years. Each semester, Lawrance meets with roughly 45-50 athletic training students one-on-one for individualized advising, and students often continue to seek his mentorship after graduation.

Lawrance also led improvements to the undergraduate curriculum. These include the development of a study abroad experience in Ireland as well as fostering simulation activities that allow students to practice their techniques in low-stakes environments. In 2019, Lawrance received the Patsy J. Mellott Teaching Innovation Award and developed an athletic training simulation lab in Lambert Fieldhouse.

Lawrance has emphasized his leadership in teaching as a Senior Fellow in the Teaching for Tomorrow program as well as Teaching Fellow and Data Science Fellow in the Instruction Matters Purdue Academic Course Transformation program, both through Purdue’s Center for Instructional Excellence. Lawrance has also attended many conferences, including the Athletic Training Educators’ Conference and the Lilly International Conference on College Teaching.

Beyond these achievements, Lawrance actively mentors several student research projects and participates on many Purdue committees related to undergraduate education.

For more information, please contact Scott Lawrance or Tom Berndt.

• Scott Lawrance, clinical professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology, lawrance@purdue.edu
• Tom Berndt, senior associate dean for academic affairs and administration, College of Health and Human Sciences, berndt@purdue.edu