Henry van den Brand (left) and jury chair Tom Ogweno when the shortlist was announced. © Fleur Rake
Van den Brand was unable to attend the award ceremony for the prize (handed out every year by University Fund Wageningen) due to a trip abroad, so a colleague accepted the award on his behalf. Like the other nominees, Van den Brand gets a replica of the statue The Tutor and 2500 euros. This year, the other candidates were Arie Terlouw, Jessica Duncan, Fred de Boer and John Beijer.
The associate professor won the award for his enthusiasm and involvement, says the jury. He doesn’t just teach — he tells stories. And the students are clearly all ears as his lectures are always packed, even though they are recorded. Van den Brand uses an old-schoolblackboard and chalk to illustrate his stories.
Van den Brand began in 2001 in the Adaptation Physiology chair group. He did not have any teaching experience when he was appointed assistant professor. These days he lectures, coordinates subjects and supervises Master’s students doing their theses.
The prize was handed out at the event to mark the start of the Month of Education, part of WUR’s centennial celebrations.