COSAM News Articles 2021 September Cobine named Lawrence C. Wit Endowed Professor

Cobine named Lawrence C. Wit Endowed Professor

Published: 09/07/2021

“Paul is an outstanding selection for the Lawrence C. Wit Endowed Professor,” said Interim Dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, or COSAM, Edward Thomas Jr. “Paul works extremely hard to elevate the student experience in the classroom so they learn while increasing student participation and overall retention.”

Cobine, who earned his doctoral degree at the University of Queensland in Australia, is known for being an engaging and interactive teacher in the Department of Biological Sciences since 2008. He incorporates unique ways to teach including adding memorable moments from movies or bits from the most popular television shows.

“Since I arrived at Auburn, COSAM students always spoke in reverent terms about the impact that Dr. Wit had on them, so I have always held him the highest regard and aspired to work towards a similar reputation. Therefore, it is an incredible honor and responsibility to receive the Wit Endowed Professorship,” Cobine said.

Selected for the Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2019, Cobine’s passion for teaching shows with an array of impressive awards.

Additionally to the prestigious Leischuck Award, Cobine received the 2018 Auburn University Parents Association Faculty and Staff Award, 2018 COSAM Young Scholar Award, 2017 COSAM Award for Outstanding Teaching, 2016 COSAM Outstanding Faculty Outreach Award, 2015 College of Sciences and Mathematics Outstanding Advisor Award and 2010 Faculty Honoree for Camp War Eagle.

The appointment begins on Oct. 1 and the terms runs for five years.