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• Professor Robert Klassen earns 2025 Terry Base Award for Outstanding Teaching

Professor Robert Klassen earns 2025 Terry Base Award for Outstanding Teaching

Robert Klassen, professor, department of mechanical and materials engineering, Western Engineering. (Jacob Arts photo)

Professor Robert Klassen has been named the 2025 Terry Base Award winner for Outstanding Teaching in Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

Klassen, a professor in the department of mechanical and materials engineering, was selected as this year’s recipient by second-, third- and fourth-year MME students in a vote organized by the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Society.

“Professor Klassen is a gifted instructor who brings his years of industry and research experience to the classroom,” says Anthony Straatman, professor and chair of the department. “His students praise him for making concepts in materials engineering interesting and relevant, and for creating an engaging, inspiring learning environment.”

The Terry Base Award, named in honour of Dr. Terry Base—a beloved MME professor from 1970 to 2000—celebrates teaching excellence that demonstrates deep subject mastery, creativity in instruction, and a strong commitment to student success. Dr. Base was widely known for his versatility, charisma, and passion for teaching before his sudden passing in 2000.

This marks the third time Klassen has received this prestigious award.