Assistant professor of philosophy Chris Surprenant was named to Princeton Review’s list of “The Best 300 Professors” on April 3.

Princeton Review developed the book in coordination with the website www.ratemyprofessor.com, which lists undergraduate teachers in approximately 60 fields at 122 colleges. The list of “The Best 300 Professors” was compiled from a list of 42,000 faculty members across the country.

“I didn’t apply to make the list and don’t know what their methodology was in selecting people for it,” Surprenant said. “However, there is no doubt that most of Tulane’s faculty is outstanding, and I am always happy to bring positive attention to the philosophy department and to Tulane.”

Surprenant graduated Boston University in 2009 with his Ph.D. in Philosophy. This is his fourth year teaching at Tulane.

“Professor Surprenant is very well respected and well liked,” philosophy department chair Ronna Burger said. “He constantly energizes and influences Tulane undergraduates.”

Surprenant is involved with the Honors Program at Tulane and has been very flexible and experimental in developing service learning classes.

“It is very hard to teach introduction to philosophy courses, and you need someone who’s dynamic like Professor Surprenant to do the job,” Burger said. “He has produced publications and had to teach three classes a semester, which is very difficult for a fairly new professor to manage. Students love his versatility, and he is incredibly devoted, always available at office hours for students to approach.”

Senior Christina Gathman said Surprenant leaves a lasting impact on his students.

“Professor Surprenant is a brilliant and innovative philosophy professor who truly cares about the material as well as his students’ success,” Gathman said. “I wish I had the opportunity to take more of his courses. He really deserves this honor.”