Seth Karpinski: 2010 Rice Inspirational Teaching Award winner

A graduate of Bates College, he wasn’t always into physics. Seth was an art major at Bates until he decided to switch gears and study physics. He graduated from Columbia University in 2006 with a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. The Class of 2010 unanimously voted Seth as this year’s Senior Class Dinner speaker on Wednesday, June 9th on Akin Common, where he will also be presented with The Anton and Lydia Rice Inspirational Teaching Award.

Established in 2008, The Anton and Lydia Rice Inspirational Teaching Award is presented every year at the Senior Class Dinner to a member of the Hackley School faculty designated by majority vote of the graduating class who in the opinion of the members of the class has lit and sustained the fire of learning and inspiration, stimulated their intellectual curiosity and inspired them in positive ways to seize the day and grasp the challenges they will face in the years ahead. Teachers are eligible to win the award no more than once every three years. The Award is given in memory of Anton and Lydia Rice, parents of Anton H. Rice III '56, Donald Sands Rice '57, William Phipps Rice '62, and John Reynolds Rice '64. Anton H. Rice, Jr. served the School as a Trustee and Lydia Sands Rice was an active member of the Parents' Association. Last year’s award winner was English teacher, Scott Boehnen.

 

This is Seth’s third year teaching at Hackley School. He was hired right after he graduated from Columbia's engineering school by Hackley to teach the calculus based physics course as well as several sections of 9th grade physics. Since being at Hackley, Seth has served as both the assistant and the head coach for the varsity Cross Country Running team, and an assistant coach of the varsity Indoor Track team. He is the lead advisor for Midnight Run (a community outreach program), and head of the Mechanical Engineering Club with a a total membership of 50 students.