Professor David Thaddeus wins UNC Charlotte teaching award
David Thaddeus, professor of architecture, has received the 2026 UNC Charlotte Award for Teaching Excellence for tenured faculty. Thaddeus was honored at a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 24, in the Popp Martin Student Union, along with Oscar Lansen, recipient of the 2026 Award for Teaching Excellence for teaching faculty and the other teaching excellence award finalists.
“David Thaddeus and Oscar Lansen are outstanding examples of the very best of UNC Charlotte’s faculty,” said Jennifer Troyer, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Their innovation, care for students and commitment to academic excellence elevate the student experience and our University.”
Thaddeus, who came to UNC Charlotte in 1999, is a professor whose passion for teaching defines every aspect of his work at the University. 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.
Thaddeus designs exercises that require students to actively discover structural principles through three-dimensional problem solving. He incorporates models, building documentation and precedent analysis into courses, helping students engage directly with concepts, deepen understanding and build lasting skills.
“Over the years I have continually explored new ways to incorporate hands-on and visual learning into my courses,” said Thaddeus. “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.”
Read more about the awards in articles in Niner Insider and Niner Times.