The Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) recently gave its 2011 H. Hiter Harris, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching to Hampden-Sydney’s Dr. Alex Werth.  The award is endowed by the family of the late Hiter Harris, Jr., a leading Virginia banker who was a member of the VFIC’s Board from 1973 – 1998.  His son, H. Hiter Harris III, is a current VFIC board member, having joined the board in 2000.

Dr. Alex Werth joined by VFIC Chairman Robert Woltz (left) and Hiter Harris III (right) following the presentation of the 2011 Harris Award.

The Harris Award includes a stipend to support Dr. Werth’s research on the physiology of feeding and thermoregulation in whales and reflects his strong, clear, and abiding commitment to excellence in classroom teaching within the undergraduate liberal arts and sciences.  Dr. Werth has taught classes across the spectrum of the biology curriculum at Hampden-Sydney as well as interdisciplinary seminars and courses in the Western Culture program.