Teacher/Scholar of the Year

David R. Colburn, Provost

I am pleased to announce the selection of Dr. N. Yngve Ohrn, Professor of Chemistry and Physics, as recipient of the 2003- 2004 Teacher/Scholar Award. A faculty committee consisting of former awardees and senior faculty makes the selection from nominees made by each college. This is the university’s highest honor for faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching and scholarly activity and exhibit visibility within and beyond the university. The awardee serves as a very distinguished example of the teacher/scholar as represented at the University of Florida.

For 38 years Prof. Ohrn has demonstrated his commitment to UF through an exceptionally high level of scholarship, teaching and service. Ohrn is a world-recognized scholar for his fundamental and important contributions to quantum chemistry for which he has received many recognitions, including a gold medal awarded by the King of Sweden in 1980. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a foreign member of the Finnish Academy of Sciences, the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and the Swedish Royal Science Society. He has published more than 150 research articles in research journals, and edited over 30 other books and proceedings. Ohrn has supervised more than 20 PhD students and over 30 postdoctoral scientists and has maintained consistent extramural funding for more than 30 years. His research interests include application of quantum mechanics and statistical physics to atomic and molecular processes, in particular the electronic structure and dynamics of molecular systems. Generations of students at all levels have enjoyed Prof. Ohrn’s lectures and mentorship. Student evaluations consistently note that he is a gifted teacher. He also has served as a judge at middle school and high school science competitions in Alachua County.

Ohrn achieved this high level of productivity while serving the university in many capacities, as Chair of the Chemistry Department, member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and Director of the Quantum Theory Project, a world renowned interdepartmental Center in Physics and Chemistry. From 1979 to present he has served as editor of the International Journal of Quantum Chemistry. Over the years he has also been entrusted to chair several important university committees, including a search for the Vice-President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.

My congratulations to Prof. Ohrn for his exemplary contributions to the University of Florida!