Dr. Kent Gee, a professor known for his passion for teaching and dedication to his students, has been named the recipient of the Karl G. Maeser Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Award for the 2024-25 academic year. BYU President Shane Reese said that this award “is given to one who has demonstrated clear superiority in scholarship and teaching. It acknowledges a person who embodies the full realization of a BYU faculty member, one who has a clear understanding and implementation of our unique BYU mission ...” This honor recognizes Dr. Gee’s exceptional contributions to education and his impact on countless students.
Dr. Gee goes above and beyond what is expected from a teacher in order to help his students. When asked what the key to teaching is, he responds, “that’s easy. Love your students, love your topic, and show them that love. You’ll make a difference.” For Dr. Gee, teaching is more than just delivering a lecture. He says, “I hate the thought of being a lecturer. I hope to never deliver a lecture.”
Reflecting on some influential teachers and mentors in his own life, Dr. Gee highlighted the example of his own high school physics teacher, Mr. Wagner. He said “Mr. Wagner had an ability to answer questions in a way that made me feel smarter for having asked.” Dr. Gee uses this in his approach to teaching.
On one particular day, Dr. Gee was teaching about the Doppler effect, which describes the shift in a sound that occurs when you move towards or away from a sound source. One of the students asked, “What would happen if someone were traveling faster than the speed of sound and they spoke? Would you hear what they said in reverse?” Dr. Gee could’ve guessed and given them an answer, but instead, he told them what he describes as his most important sentence as a professor: “I don’t know, but I will find out and get back to you.” Dr. Gee went home, worked out the math, and created a simulation showing the Doppler effect at different mach numbers. He presented his findings in the next class. The students were able to perfectly understand what would happen, and why, because they were able to personally experience the problem.
Reflecting on the award, Dr. Gee expressed deep gratitude and humility. “It is an amazing feeling to be part of a university with a mission like no other,” he shared. “I have a lot to live up to.” In regard to this award, he recognizes those who have inspired him, including his parents who were both teachers as well as those who taught and mentored him, such as his high school physics teacher, Mr. Wagner and his graduate advisors, Scott Sommerfeldt and Vic Sparrow. “I learned so much about teaching and mentoring from them. A lot of how I approach teaching came from adapting things I learned from them.”
In accepting the award, Dr. Gee acknowledged the many deserving colleagues at the university. Kar G. Maeser said, “Be yourself, but always your better self.” Dr. Gee hopes this award helps him become a little bit better.
As the Distinguished Faculty Fellow, he will be giving a Forum address on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 am MDT. We invite you to watch Dr. Gee’s address live at https://www.byutv.org/ or find it later at speeches.byu.edu
Student authors: Noah Pulsipher, Hunter Pratt, Bradley McLaughlin, Wesley Olson
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