Chemistry professor John Montgomery has been named a Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to undergraduate education. He is one of five 2020 honorees approved Feb. 20 by the UM Board of Regents.

Montgomery is the Margaret and Herman Sokol Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, and professor of chemistry in LSA. He consistently earns outstanding reviews from undergraduate students who enroll by the hundreds in the gateway organic chemistry sequence of CHEM 210 and 215.“Through his service on numerous committees aimed at making the department and U-M more inclusive, he recognized the challenges that these fast-paced courses can pose to students, particularly those from under-resourced high schools,” the description of his work said.“In response, Professor Montgomery created CHEM 209, a companion course running concurrently with CHEM 210. Exit surveys indicated that the small sections and personalized mentoring students receive in CHEM 209 dramatically increased their confidence and persistence.” -- University Record, Feb. 20, 2020