Joan Vorderbruggen, assistant professor of architecture and landscape architecture, received the 2011 College of Engineering and Architecture Teacher of the Year Award at a ceremony April 21.

Vorderbruggen was selected from nine nominees based on specific award criteria and recommendations. She primarily teaches architectural design studios.

“I have known Joan since she first started at NDSU as an adjunct professor,” wrote Cindy Urness, associate professor of architecture, in a letter of nomination. “From that first class, it was apparent that Joan was a teacher of passion and commitment, who more than anything cared about what her students were learning in her class.”

“During my time in Joan’s course, I felt like she challenged my perceptions and helped me to better understand my personal design development,” wrote Kelly Anne Fratzel, an architecture student. “Joan encourages her students to step outside what they know about architecture and acknowledges different perspectives in design.”

“Of everything Joan does, it is all selfless and from the heart, all in the interest of the students and the environment,” wrote Matthew Friesz, an architecture student.

Vorderbruggen has been an assistant professor at NDSU since fall of 2008, with previous teaching experience as an adjunct professor and lecturer at NDSU and the University of Oregon. Vorderbruggen earned her bachelor of architecture degree from NDSU and her post-professional master of architecture degree from the University of Oregon.

Vorderbruggen is the faculty adviser to NDSU’s chapter of American Institutes of Architecture Students Freedom by Design, and also received the Bison Ambassador’s Apple Polisher Award in 2010. She continues to focus her scholarly activities toward teaching beginning design students, and human/nature connections in architecture.