William Rolnick is one of six professors to receive the Wayne State University President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contributions to teaching and includes a $2,500 honorarium.

Rolnick, of Troy, is a professor of physics in the College of Science, specializes in particle and quantum field theory, with a spectrum of teaching that ranges from basic introductory physics to advanced quantum mechanics. In a subject that is difficult even for the best minds, he succeeds in teaching while maintaining the highest standards.

Rolnick challenges his students to understand terse formulae and laws of physics by having them apply those principles to problems in order to see the meaning of concepts studied in class. He helps students accomplish this by being available at all times and holding extra sessions to work on problems. One colleague said, "Considering the level of excellence he demands of his students, I find it surprising that he continues to remain so popular as a teacher."

By introducing a new, interactive method of teaching to the physics department, Rolnick breaks away from the traditional model of passive learning in lectures by giving students greater responsibility for in-class instruction and comprehension of material. He also is an innovator outside the classroom, creating and guiding Wayne State's Research Careers for Minority Scholars program. Through his efforts, the National Science Foundation funds assistance for up to 10 exceptional minority students each year who are seeking science careers.

Rolnick holds a bachelor's degree from Brooklyn College and master's and doctoral degrees from Columbia University.