Professors George Kuney and Dean Rivkin were honored for their outstanding accomplishments at the University of Tennessee Chancellor’s Honors Banquet April 19 for “Excellence in Advising” and “Excellence in Teaching” respectively.
The annual banquet is the university’s largest recognition event of the year. In addition to recognition of UT Law professors, students Spenser F. Powell, Richard Alexander Thomason, Andrew B. Tucker, and and David R. Venturella were recognized for their “Extraordinary Professional Promise.”
Excellence in Advising is bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in advising.
George Kuney
UT law students have a saying when they have a question concerning their career trajectory or curricular choices: “Talk to Kuney.” Professor George Kuney’s philosophy of advising is to provide an interactive process between mentoring and modeling, one that is both educational and uplifting for the student. Numerous students praise him for his generosity with his time and experience. “Professor Kuney did not just tell me that I could succeed, he gave me an opportunity to do so, and he supported me during each opportunity after,” wrote one former student, now an attorney. A prolific writer and researcher in the field of business law, Kuney has authored and co-authored scores of books, treatises, and articles. His many honors include the Carden Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scholarship (2007, 2016) and the Harold C. Warner Outstanding Teacher Award (2005).
Excellence in Teaching is bestowed by the Office of the Chancellor and the Teaching Council of the Faculty Senate to honor outstanding work in the classroom.
Dean Rivkin
A longtime teacher and lawyer, Dean Rivkin, Distinguished Professor of Law, is known for his innovative, insightful, and intellectually stimulating teaching techniques. Last year, the College of Law honored him with its highest commendation, the Harold Warner Outstanding Teacher Award. But Rivkin’s concern for students’ professional development continues outside the classroom. He has been the guiding force in developing and teaching courses in environmental law and child and family law, efforts that have expanded the breadth and depth of the college’s curriculum. He has served as faculty advisor for the Environmental Law Organization and the Tennessee Association of Public Interest Law. Rivkin works closely with students who want to pursue public interest law opportunities and has helped further the success of the college’s student advocacy program as faculty advisor to the very successful UT Environmental Law Moot Court Team.
