Outstanding NTE Faculty: Teaching

Joe Tritschler

Joe Tritschler, lecturer of biomedical, industrial and human factors engineering — affectionately known as “Crazy Joe” — won the award for Outstanding Non-Tenure Eligible (NTE) Faculty: Teaching because of his ability to relate to students.

“He has a rapport with our students that is second to none,” said Nathan Klingbeil, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. “He has the rare ability to meet students exactly where they are — to make even the least prepared students feel like they belong in the classroom every bit as much as the most prepared students.”

Students rate Tritschler exceedingly high. His teaching evaluations are always filled with glowing praise. “Joe treated all students fairly as individuals and not just as students,” one student said.

Jaime Ramirez-Vick, chair of the Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, said Tritschler has exceeded all expectations in teaching and service.

“We are proud to count Dr. Tritschler as a member of our faculty,” Ramirez-Vick said. “He shows utmost dedication to his job, and through his personality contributes positively to the morale of the department.”

Ronald Taylor, senior lecturer emeritus in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said that when Tritschler was a student at Wright State, he was very involved in classes and developed communications skills that would greatly benefit students once Tritschler began teaching.

Taylor said that he interacted regularly with Tritschler outside the classroom and they frequently exchanged teaching tips.

“I found myself becoming a better teacher based on our discussions. I think all the faculty that know that Dr. Tritschler are impressed with his effectiveness and dedication to classroom teaching,” Taylor said.

Tritschler said that he loves every second of his job teaching students.

“I am always humbled by my students’ expressions of gratitude for my efforts,” he said. “I feel it is my job to reach out to them and teach and evaluate them in a manner that is equally accessible to everyone, for then their level of achievement is up to them.”

Wright State became an independent institution in 1967 and has grown into an innovative leader in the Dayton region and beyond, capturing the spirit of the university’s namesakes, Wilbur and Orville Wright, who invented the world’s first successful airplane from their Dayton bicycle shop. It celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent public university in 2017, culminating with a special Homecoming celebration Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.