Thomas R. Famula
2000 Distinguished Teacher Award
Donor: National Animal Genome Research Program

Thomas R. Famula, from the Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, was born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey. He earned his B.S. degree in Animal Science, with Distinction and Honors, from the University of Delaware and his M.S. and Ph.D degrees in Animal Breeding from Cornell University. In 1981 he accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Animal Science and Geneticist in the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of California, Davis, where he moved through the ranks to his current position of Professor of Animal Science and Geneticist in the Agricultural Experiment Station. Professor Famula’s teaching covers the full range from a high-enrollment, lower-division introductory animal science course, several upper-division animal genetics courses, to specialty graduate courses in genetics. At all levels students praise his innovative teaching style, his ability to present complex concepts in an understandable fashion, and his genuine concern for his students’ learning and welfare.

Professor Famula’s introductory animal science course annually attracts as many as 300 students. His mean rating by students in the course has been 4.9 on a 1-to-5 scale, reflecting both his ability to teach and his willingness to work hard at providing an optimal environment for learning. His teaching excellence is reflected also in the large number of graduate teaching assistants who have developed their value for high-quality teaching and their didactic skills under Professor Famula’s tutelage. His contributions to teaching excellence extend beyond the classroom to include service as both undergraduate and graduate advisor and on numerous committees charged with development and oversight of campus teaching programs. In 1999 he was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Teaching Award by the faculty of the University of California, Davis.