William Crossland, Ph.D., was recently honored with the prestigious Wayne State University President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dr. Crossland, an associate professor in the department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to teaching at the School of Medicine with a $2,500 award and a citation from President Irvin D. Reid.

 “Teaching was always something I was proud of,” said Dr. Crossland. “Receiving this award is a tremendous source of satisfaction. It’s nice to be recognized by your colleagues, but the real source of satisfaction is the lectures, the labs and the interactions with students. In the labs, you really get an opportunity to interact with the students. The more I talk with them, the more I seem to like them.”

Dr. Crossland joined the department of Anatomy & Cell Biology in 1975 and has served as an associate professor since 1980.

“Every year is different. They each have their own characteristics,” he said. “Over time, ideas can change and interpretations can change but the basic goal is always certain. The bedrock of information must be provided so that students have what they need to become clinicians.”

Dr. Crossland’s research interests focus on the formation and maintenance of neuronal connections in the visual system. Over the years, he has seen his obligations shift and evolve between researcher and educator. “In research, it is exciting to look over something and see what no one has seen before. I feel a spirit of adventure, and I see that in teaching too.

“As a teacher, it’s important to never let yourself be fooled. I’ve always liked the analogy that educators are only gardeners. It is the students who must learn and grow on their own.”