Penn Scientist Helps "Unzip" Red Sea Origins

The Tipping Points
Remarks at Baccalaureate 2000 by Judith Rodin, President of the University
I know from experience—and I think my fellow alumni would agree—that Penn provides its graduates with the foundation for a good life. Our superb faculty do not just do outstanding teaching of their disciplines. What one student said in praise of geology professor Gomaa Omar, a Provost Award winner, captures the essence of teaching at Penn: “I learned as much about life as I did about rocks.” Our faculty truly do outstanding field work in life and go to great lengths to share their findings with their students. In that context, I firmly believe that your Penn education and Penn experiences will sustain and fortify you throughout your lives.

Quake, tsunami among worst ever

Prof explains science behind tsunamis

Dean's Award for Distinguished Teaching
This award recognizes the contributions to undergraduate education made by the School's non-standing faculty. This year's recipient is Dr. Gomaa Omar of earth and environmental science, where he currently serves as graduate group chair. A previous recipient of the Provost's Award for Distinguished Teaching, Dr. Omar is praised for his teaching in the course sequence in mineralogy and petrology. One student comments that "his enthusiasm and amazing organization … creates a fire in his students to work hard in his classes."

Provost's Award for Distinguished Teaching