David Thaddeus named finalist for 2026 Teaching Excellence Award
Professor of Architecture David Thaddeus has been named a finalist for UNC Charlotte’s 2026 Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty. Nominees will be celebrated and the award recipient announced on Thursday, Sept. 24, during a reception in the Popp Martin Student Union Multipurpose Room.
Thaddeus is a professor whose passion for teaching defines every aspect of his work at UNC Charlotte. Deeply engaged in the material he teaches, he continually develops new visual and qualitative methods to make structural concepts clear, intuitive and inspiring. His commitment to exploring sustainable materials and construction practices further enriches his integrated approach to architectural education.
Grounded in the belief that students learn best by doing, Thaddeus designs experiential exercises that require students to actively discover structural principles through three‑dimensional problem solving. In both structures courses and design studios, he incorporates models, building documentation and precedent analysis to help students engage directly with concepts, deepen understanding and build lasting skills.
Reflecting on his approach, Thaddeus notes, “Over the years I have continually explored new ways to incorporate hands-on and visual learning into my courses. While numbers may prove that a structural system will work, building and testing structural models to failure is critical for the student’s qualitative understanding of structural principles.”
His commitment to innovation is supported by multiple grants that have enabled the creation of a suite of structural teaching tools, including an earthquake “shake table,” a wind tunnel and his extensive TOYS (Teaching by Observation Yields Strength) model library. These resources—ranging from 3D‑printed models to digital animations and interactive photographic demonstrations—allow students to observe structural behavior in real time, making complex concepts clearer, more engaging and deeply memorable.
Students consistently praise his dedication. “Professor Thaddeus has an outstanding attitude and work ethic towards his students,” said Dima Awadallah, an undergraduate architecture student. “He encourages his students to do their best and goes out of his way to help them grow and learn in a way that enhances their career.”
Thaddeus’s impact extends well beyond UNC Charlotte. In 2019, he was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows—an honor earned by only three percent of members—recognizing his exceptional contributions to architectural education. His national reputation is built on developing innovative teaching practices that bridge architecture and engineering, a rare combination that strengthens his integrated approach to design. By uniting technical structural engineering with creative studio instruction, he helps students overcome fear of complex concepts and embrace structural thinking as an essential part of design aesthetics.
As Blaine Brownell, director of the David R. Ravin School of Architecture, notes, “Thaddeus builds collective knowledge in a personal and non‑threatening style, demonstrating care for each individual and conveying kindness and humor as everyday approaches to encourage active and empathetic learning. He also habitually bridges different disciplinary areas of knowledge, enabling students to make conceptual connections between different types of expertise.”
The other finalists for the UNC Charlotte Teaching Excellence Award for tenured faculty are Erin Basinger, professor and chair of communication studies and Hilary Dack, professor of middle, secondary, and K‑12 education. Honorable mention finalists include Drew Polly, professor of reading and elementary education; Debra C. Smith, associate professor of Africana studies; and Michael J. Turner, associate professor of kinesiology.
Read more about the Teaching Excellence Awards here.
Written by Jennifer Howe. Photos by Amy Hart and Liz McCormick