The UConn Law Class of 2022 has chosen Professor Mary Beattie to receive the Perry Zirkel ’76 Distinguished Teaching Award.

Beattie, an assistant clinical professor of law and the director of academic support, teaches courses in writing, research and analysis, and provides programs and individual counseling to help students succeed in their classes. She also teaches writing classes and workshops to help students succeed on the bar exam.

Beattie joined the UConn Law faculty in 2018 after serving for five years on the law school’s staff as an academic success counselor. She also has taught Legal Practice and Legal Profession at the law school, as well as courses in advanced legal writing. Beattie also has worked as an assigned counsel in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Public Defender, representing indigent clients in their appeals.

“I’m delighted to see the graduating class confer this well-deserved honor on Professor Beattie,” Dean Eboni S. Nelson said. “Her profound dedication to our students is inspiring and a powerful part of the investment that UConn Law makes in the success and well-being of every student.”

The teaching award was established in 2016 through the generosity of Perry Zirkel, who graduated from the UConn School of Law in 1976. He became a professor of education and law at Lehigh University and served as dean of the university’s College of Education.

Students, faculty and alumni are invited to nominate faculty members for the award and a committee of graduating students chooses three to five finalists. The entire graduating class is invited to vote to choose the winner.  Past winners include Professor Julia Simon-Kerr in 2021, Professor Jessica Rubin in 2020, Professor Alexandra Lahav in 2019, Associate Dean Paul Chill in 2018, Professor Richard Pomp in 2017 and Professor Jeremy McClane in 2016.

Beattie will receive the award at commencement, which will take place on May 15, 2022, and her name will be added to the plaque in the law library that includes all the previous winners.