Dr. Kiril Streletzky, a Physics assistant professor, was honored as the recipient of the College of Science Jearl Walker Outstanding Teaching Award for 2009.

Dr. Streletzky earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1991 from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) in Russia. He received a Ph.D. in Physics in 1998 from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts. He held the position of Research Assistant in Physics at both institutions.  He was also a Post-Doctoral Fellow and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at WPI before coming to Cleveland State University in 2004. Dr. Streletzky has been a faculty member in the Department of Physics since that time and holds the position of Assistant Professor. 

During the last five years at CSU, Dr. Streletzky’s accomplishments have been numerous. He transformed the Society of Physics Students from a virtual nonexistent group to one revitalized into a thriving example of “Engaged Learning” through guest speakers and student presentation of their own research. Through Dr. Streletzky’s leadership, the Honors Physics Program has become a distinct and rewarding experience that continues to impact students more than any other physics courses. He created and developed the Modern Physics Laboratory course through grants for purchase of equipment needed for the course. Additionally, he personally designed the experiments and recruited students for this course which is one of the best of any moderate size physics department in the country.

Kiril’s dedication to the discipline and his students is evident in his research and service. His active research program has resulted in funding for course development, student projects and teaching research. It involves many students from various majors, not only physics, along with one student from Horizon Science Academy. He has advised 19 independent studies student (nine undergrads and ten grads) and supervised 18 undergraduate research projects and three graduate research projects in the short period that he has been at CSU. Through engaging students on research projects and teaching them how to present their work at conferences, numerous students have submitted papers and many have been published.

To quote some of Kiril’s students:

• “…He has never stopped encouraging me to explore the wonders of physics and his enthusiastic support of my curiosity has led me through many engaged learning experiences.”
• “…Never in my academic studies [Ohio State and Bowling Green] have I encountered a professor as capable as Dr. Streletzky.”
• “As a professor who clearly understands the old saying, ‘Tell me and I will forget. Show me and I will remember. Involve me and I will understand,’ Dr. Streletzky has impacted the lives of many students at every academic level.”
• “Dr. Streletzky is a teacher of outstanding dedication.”
• “He achieves a great feat: maintaining a positive learning environment while effectively preparing students for the incredible challenges ahead in their future work in physics.”
•  “Dr. S is passionate about physics. He has transferred that passion to me and inspired me to try to do the same for my future students.”

The College of Science faculty, staff and students are proud to recognize the enthusiasm and devotion of Dr. Kiril Streletzky as the 2009 recipient of the Jearl Walker Outstanding Teaching Award.

View pictures from the award luncheon