Isaac Record, teaching professor of science and society at MSU’s Lyman Briggs College, was selected as the university’s nominee for the 2026 Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, a prestigious statewide honor recognizing excellence in undergraduate education across institutions in the Michigan Association of State Universities.
Each year, one faculty member from each of Michigan’s 15 public universities is nominated for the award, which celebrates exceptional commitment to undergraduate student learning. Nominees are recognized for their impact through innovative teaching, mentorship, applied research, and community-engaged learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
At MSU, Record is known for his commitment to experiential teaching and learning in Lyman Briggs courses on the philosophy of science, science and technology studies, and critical making. Notably, his course, LB 322A: Critical Making to Solve Wicked Problems, empowers students to construct physical prototypes in the Lyman Briggs studio-maker-space, to engage with challenging conceptual and practical problems in novel ways. This mode of learning and problem-solving creates space for insight, reflection, and fun.
Record writes, “I am honored to be Michigan State University’s nominee for this award, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to help prepare my students to work together to meet the problems of tomorrow.”
Nominees and winners were celebrated at a luncheon on April 10.
Record’s nomination speaks to the lasting impact of his teaching—on how students approach problems, think critically, collaborate with others, and carry their learning beyond the classroom.