Tulane faculty to be honored with 2026 university-wide teaching and mentoring awards

Tulane News staff today@tulane.edu

Tulane University will recognize the extraordinary dedication of some of its leading faculty members with a variety of university-wide teaching and mentoring awards during the Unified Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Caesars Superdome. 
 
The awards include the Tulane President’s Awards for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching, the Suzanne and Stephen Weiss Presidential Fellowship for Undergraduate Education and the Oliver Fund Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring. 
 
The recipients of the 2026 President’s Awards for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Teaching are Brooke Grant, senior professor of practice in the School of Professional Advancement, and Ross Klingsberg, associate professor in the School of Medicine and director of the Tulane Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Center.
 
The 2026 Weiss Fellows are Kate Adams, associate professor and the inaugural Martha McCarty Kimmerling Chair in Women’s Literature in the School of Liberal Arts, and Katie Russell, senior professor of practice in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering.

The 2026 recipient of the Oliver Fund Award for Excellence in Faculty Mentoring is Adam Feibelman, the Sumter Davis Marks Professor of Law in the School of Law and director of the Murphy Institute Center on Law and the Economy.

Recipients are nominated by faculty, students and any other member of the Tulane community and then reviewed and chosen by a selection committee of past award winners. 

Brooke Grant
Brooke Grant, senior professor of practice in Education Programs in the School of Professional Advancement, is recognized for cultivating welcoming learning environments grounded in high standards, clear expectations and consistent feedback. She is described as a “beloved professor” who teaches students “to apply theoretical foundations to authentic educational settings, enhancing both their academic learning and their readiness for professional practice.” One student wrote: “When learning from Dr. Grant, I feel capable of doing things beyond my current capabilities… and I feel cared for. That’s the kind of teacher I want to be.”
Smiling man with light brown curly hair and mustache, wearing a checkered blazer.
Ross Klingsberg, associate professor in the School of Medicine and director of the Tulane Cystic Fibrosis Therapeutics Development Center, is honored for connecting challenging content to meaning and for investing deeply in mentorship outside of the classroom. His teaching is described as both individualized and exceptionally supportive, going above and beyond to meet students where they are and support their holistic development. A leading pulmonary and critical care specialist, Klingsberg completed his bachelor’s degree, MD, residency and a fellowship here at Tulane. A former student wrote: “Dr. Klingsberg embodies the spirit of Tulane, encouraging students to stay curious and become excellent, thoughtful, well-rounded clinicians.”
Smiling woman with curly hair wearing a green shirt, indoors.
Kate Adams is an associate professor and the inaugural Martha McCarty Kimmerling Chair in Women’s Literature in the Department of English in the School of Liberal Arts. She is recognized for encouraging students to think critically and across disciplines as they explore intellectual questions, instilling a sense of purpose and connecting the study of literature to the broader human experience. Students described her as an anchor whose “unwavering commitment” provided invaluable support while challenging them to achieve their goals. One former student put it simply: “If you are looking for ‘The Teacher Who Changed My Life,’ Kate Adams fits that description without question.”
Smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a dark floral jacket.
Katie Russell, senior professor of practice in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the School of Science and Engineering, is celebrated for fostering a community of collaborative learners, helping students develop valuable professional skills along with technical expertise. Students and colleagues alike described her as an “outstanding teacher and mentor” whose innovative implementation of service learning “has become a model for integration of teaching and research in engineering education.” A two-time Tulane alumna, her open-door policy has also “shaped departmental culture” and affords students “the tools necessary to pursue competitive opportunities.”
Adam Feibelman
The 2026 Oliver Fund Award recipient is Adam Feibelman, the Sumter Davis Marks Professor of Law in the Tulane Law School and director of the Murphy Institute Center on Law and the Economy. Dean Marcilynn Burke cited his “extraordinary commitment to mentoring his colleagues,” noting that “his generosity with his time, insight, and institutional wisdom has strengthened not only individual fellows and professors, but our entire academic community.” Recommendations also cite his national impact as a mentor to visiting faculty and fellows, pointing out that his mentees’ success “raises the school’s scholarly profile and attracts emerging talent,” paying “continuing dividends to the university.”

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