A professor at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) is the winner of the 2012 Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE).

Callan Bentley, assistant professor of Geology, was selected by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) as the recipient of the annual award for his expertise on the earthquake in August 2011.

“If you Google this year’s CATE recipient you’ll see he was the media’s go-to expert during the 2011 earthquake that took us all by surprise,” said Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of VCCS in a news release. “Callan’s collaboration with colleagues at four-year colleges has not only enhanced his students’ educational experience but has also enhanced the reputation of Virginia’s Community Colleges as a whole.”

Bentley, a Washington, DC native, will receive a $5,000 check and a ceremonial stole that is worn with traditional graduation regalia, the release states.

The goal of the VCCS Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence is to recognize excellence in teaching in Virginia’s community colleges and rewards one teaching faculty member in the VCCS who represents the teaching excellence found at VCCS schools.

One nomination is accepted per college for the award. The nomination process ended in April. The Selection Committee selected Bentley as the winner in June.