Richard
C. Chen
2023 Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching
In developing his exemplary teaching practices, Professor Richard Chen of the William S. Richardson School of Law brings patience and empathy to all his interactions with students, never assuming the problem is with the students. This tenet is a teaching practice that extends into a way of modeling for the students as they enter the profession of law, as lawyers who seek to listen, learn and improve throughout their careers. Indeed, a cohort of 19 evening students for four straight semesters signed an enthusiastic letter of support stating they “collectively hope that our endorsement can begin to illuminate our appreciation of his talents as an educator and the positive impact he made during the formative stages of our legal education.” One colleague states: “Professor Chen is both a person who teaches and who is a gifted teacher.” And another says: “Who wouldn’t want to be in his classes? He is a professor whose empathy, kindness, brilliance and skill shine through in everything he does and it is elevating, inspirational and contagious.”
2023 Faculty Awardees