Ellen Fitzpatrick

The Jean Brierley Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2021

History

Professor Ellen Fitzpatrick¡¯s long-standing and consistent record of exceptional teaching makes her a highly appropriate recipient of this very special recognition. Her impactful teaching is experienced first-hand by undergraduate and graduate students and, importantly too, the public at large¡ªbecause of her extensive record of national and regional media interviews and commentary.

In recognition of Professor Fitzpatrick¡¯s truly outstanding record of scholarship, teaching, mentoring and collegial service, she has already received many top awards¡ªincluding the COLA Lindberg Award, given to an outstanding teacher-scholar in the College; UNH¡¯s Distinguished Professor Award; and UNH¡¯s Excellence in Public Service Award. As her colleagues and associates attest, she is not only an intellectually brilliant and engaging scholar and a highly conscientious, energetic, and dedicated teacher, but also extremely hard-working and effective at what she does. She excels at communicating complex historical ideas clearly, combining a commanding presence with a sense of humor that wins over her audience. Even as she is renowned in the department as a great lecturer, insightful discussion leader, and helpful mentor, Professor Fitzpatrick may be even more successful as a public intellectual, taking her formidable teaching skills beyond campus. For many years, she was a recurrent guest on the ¡°PBS NewsHour,¡± and it seems that she has been interviewed by every TV outlet and major newspaper in the country. With more than 150 interviews, she has been the department¡¯s most prominent voice in the media. In her 25 years at the university, Professor Fitzpatrick has been a master teacher in the classroom and in the community beyond campus. Simply put, she belongs in the esteemed ranks of the Jean Brierley Award winners.