A pair of West Virginia University faculty members have been selected as finalists for the 2024 Professor of the Year award from the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia.
J.T. Hird, professor of mathematics at WVU Institute of Technology, and Christopher Ramezan, assistant professor of management information systems in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, are among five finalists.
Hird teaches a range of math courses including Intermediate Algebra, Finite Mathematics, College Algebra, Plane Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus Mathematics, Calculus and Applied Linear Algebra.
Additionally, Hird serves as an advisor for Gaming, Golden Bear eSports and Golden Bear Outdoor Expeditions.
Ramezan serves as coordinator for the Business Cybersecurity Management Master of Science and minor programs. Currently, he teaches courses on Network and Data Communications, Information Security Assurance Management, Network Security and Business Cybercrime Management.
He also holds the position of executive director for the Cyber-Resilience Resource Center.
Each year, the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia honors outstanding faculty members from a Mountain State college or university.
The 2024 Professor of the Year will be announced during an April 17 ceremony at the state Culture Center in Charleston.
The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, while the other finalists will be presented with smaller awards.
The Professor of the Year award is sponsored by individual donors, United Bank, Bowles Rice LLP, Greene, Ketchum, Bailey and Tweel LLP, the Maier Foundation and the Daywood Foundation.