The student-selected "Super Heroes" Awards for Excellence at the Student Interface--the Aqua Man (DC Justice League), Captain Planet (Turner/DIC Entertainment), and Storm (X-Men) awards for outstanding faculty instructors and the Atlas Award for the most outstanding support staff member--are much coveted honors in the department, and most recipients are extremely reluctant to part with their statuettes when their award year comes to an end.
HISTORY: In 2019 (and all subsequent years), the awards will be made at the annual spring picnic organized and hosted by HASSA. In prior years, the statuettes were awarded during the annual student research symposium (El Día). In 2018, the Atlas Award for the most outstanding staff member was added. Prior to 2017, AquaMan and/or AquaWoman awards were presented. Prior to 2016, students voted for the most outstanding undergraduate and graduate instructors. Prior to 2014, students voted for the most outstanding junior and senior faculty instructors--Assistant-Associate Professor rank and Professor rank, respectively.
Awards for Excellence at the Student Interface (faculty and staff)
- 2019 Storm to Brittany Ciancarelli, AquaMan to Hoshin Gupta, Captain Planet to Larry Winter, Atlas to Sarah Warren
- 2018 Storm to Tom Galarneau, AquaMan to Martha Whitaker, Captain Planet to Ty Ferré, Atlas to Erma Santander
- 2017 Storm to Jennifer McIntosh, AquaMan to Tom Meixner, and Captain Planet to Ave Arellano
- 2016 AquaWoman to Martha Whitaker in Hydrology; AquaMan to Christopher Castro & Thomas Gallerneau in Atmospheric Sciences (a tie!)
- 2015 AquaWoman to Martha Whitaker (undergraduate) and AquaMan to P.A. Ty Ferré (graduate)
- 2014 AquaWoman to Martha Whitaker (undergraduate) and AquaMan to T.C.-Jim Yeh (graduate)
- 2013 AquaWoman to Jennifer McIntosh and AquaMan to Ty Ferré
- 2012 AquaMan to Tom Meixner and Ty Ferré
- 2011 AquaWoman to Jennifer McIntosh and AquaMan Peter Troch
- 2010 AquaMan to Ty Ferré and Hoshin Gupta
- 2009 AquaWoman to Jennifer McIntosh and AquaMan to Hoshin Gupta
- 2008 AquaMan to Tom Meixner and Hoshin Gupta
- 2007 AquaMan to Tom Meixner and Hoshin Gupta
- 2006 AquaMan to Ty Ferré and Hoshin Gupta & Shlomo Neuman (a tie!)
- 2005 Names pending confirmation
- 2004 Names pending confirmation
- 2003 AquaMan to Bart Nijssen and Jim Yeh
- 2002 AquaMan to Ty Ferré and Name pending confirmation
- 2001 AquaMan to Ty Ferré and Name pending confirmation
- 2000 AquaMan to Ty Ferré and Randy Bassett