College of Human Sciences Mark Traynor honored with Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award

College of Human Sciences Associate Professor and Director of Culinary Science Dr. Mark Traynor was among 20 Auburn faculty members recognized for a variety of outstanding achievements at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Hosted by the Office of the Provost at a ceremony held at the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center, Traynor received the Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award as he continues to create innovative programs to enhance the educational experience for students pursuing hospitality management degrees.

“Initially, I was somewhat taken aback by the honor of being recognized for excellence in teaching, especially considering how many exceptional instructors work at the University,” Traynor said. “Once I moved past the initial surprise, I felt a profound sense of pride. I realized that this recognition was a testament to the dedication I invest each day to enhance the student learning experience.”

The Faculty Awards recognize individuals who have profoundly impacted Auburn’s campus through their teaching, mentorship, and ability to inspire excellence while advancing research and scholarship and serving Alabama’s communities through meaningful outreach work. The majority of Traynor’s teaching and mentorship is on display inside the food laboratories at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center.

“A perk of my job is getting to engage with students in a hands-on manner in the laboratories,” Traynor said. “This is particularly gratifying and incredibly enjoyable. Witnessing their professional growth as they learn from their successes and mistakes and explore a variety of foods, flavors, and culinary techniques is truly fulfilling. It's especially rewarding to observe their reactions when they taste a food item they once disliked, only to discover a newfound appreciation because we cooked it in a certain way.”

In addition to Traynor, the College of Human Sciences as a whole received the President’s Outstanding Collaborative Units Award for the Rural Health Initiative and Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and Extension Specialist Dr. Adrienne Duke-Marks took home a top award–the Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach.

“I work with colleagues who excel in their academic professions and are leaders in their respective areas of expertise,” Traynor said. “When such people surround you daily, you strive for excellence in everything you do. The highly collaborative working environment fosters the development of innovative educational approaches and practices. Also, our world-class facilities further enhance the educational experience by providing our students with immersive, real-world practical experiences. I am fortunate to have highly supportive leadership at the School and the College, contributing significantly to a positive and empowering work environment.”

For more information on the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, visit Humsci.auburn.edu/hosp.