Role Reversal: Graduating Students Honor Faculty, Staff

Some of the best professors use humor in the classroom.

That was the consensus at ECE’s 2015 pre-commencement ceremony, which not only celebrated the achievements of graduating students, but also honored those who helped them along the way. 

Seniors recognized four University of Arizona ECE faculty and staff members with the department’s 2015 Student Interface Awards. 

Regents’ Professor Michael Marcellin -- who students say uses jokes to keep them interested and ease the pressure -- was voted most supportive senior faculty member. 

“He is well prepared and organized, very approachable, treats every student with respect, and is dedicated to helping students understand the concepts,” said junior Murey “Alex” Luna Torres, who presented the awards on May 15. 

Marcellin earned a PhD in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University in 1987 and joined ECE in 1988. His teaching and research interests include signal processing and communications.

In the same vein, associate professor Jonathan Sprinkle’s “ability to laugh and create a positive learning environment in the classroom” earned him the award for most supportive junior faculty member. Sprinkle received his PhD in electrical and electronics engineering from Vanderbilt University in 2003 and joined ECE in 2007. His research and teaching areas include embedded systems and autonomous vehicle technology.

Additionally, the seniors recognized Marisa Pope-Malings, who joined ECE in 2012 after working as an academic adviser for UA’s Eller College of Management, as the most supportive staff member and Jose Carlos Acedo as the most supportive senior teaching assistant.