Peter Sunderland

Dr. Peter Sunderland, assistant professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, is the recipient of the 2008 E. Robert Kent Outstanding Teaching Award for Junior Faculty. Colleagues remark that Sunderland relishes teaching—a fact underscored by the exceptional ratings he receives from students in his courses and by his appointment in the fall of 2008 as a member of the Clark School's Keystone Academy of Distinguished Professors, an unusual distinction for an assistant professor. Students remark that he does all that he can to help them master difficult subjects, making himself available to them any time outside of class. Sunderland is a mentor in the Clark School's Inventis and ESTEEM programs, and served on the Graduate Student Affairs Committee for the mechanical engineering department. When Sunderland took time to lead recruiting efforts for the fire protection engineering department, the result was the largest incoming freshman class in nearly 25 years. One of his graduate student advisees calls him the advisor every graduate student dreams of having, giving valuable advice on course selection, instilling a good work ethic, and being attentive and welcoming.