Elsie Hood Winner Brings a Passion for Communicating to the Classroom

The Elise Hood award is the highest recognition given to Ole Miss faculty members. It is given annually to an assistant, associate or full professor who exemplifies excellent teaching and commitment to students.

Chancellor Glenn Boyce praised Fortenberry's dedication to his students and creative thinking in the classroom.

"Dr. Fortenberry makes one of the most demanding courses on our campus one that students look forward to," said Boyce. "His commitment to his students goes well beyond the content he teaches.

"He pauses mid-lecture to share the human stories behind the science, and he speaks to his pupils not as students, but as peers. We are proud to call him our Elsie Hood Outstanding Teacher."

After spending the first five years of his career at Georgia Southern University, Fortenberry joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry in 2018.

Besides his expertise in chemistry, Fortenberry also has an extensive background in communications. He participated in speech and debate at Mississippi College and earned his master's degree in communications. His first teaching gig was in that field.

"I was 21 years old, had just finished my master's degree and I was teaching intro to communication research," Fortenberry noted. "I was the youngest person in the room, and I was the instructor.

"Nothing has ever been more challenging than teaching peers who are older than you."

He has carried that experience throughout his career, channeling his interest in science through a love for effective communication.

"I always liked science, but what really interested me was being able to talk about it," he said. "To communicate emerging discoveries, not just established knowledge."

Fortenberry believes this appreciation for communicating, especially nonverbal communication, makes him a more effective educator. Being able to read the expressions of his students allows him to adjust his lessons on the fly, especially when things do not go according to plan, he said.

"You can walk in with a perfect plan and three minutes in, you realize it's not working, so you have to pivot" he said. "My background in debate, improv and communication theory helps me think on my feet."

Fortenberry also credited his colleagues in the chemistry department for their support and for pushing one other to be the best educators they can be.

"Our department has a strong tradition of valuing instruction," Fortenberry said. "Several faculty members have received teaching awards, and we regularly observe each other's classes and provide feedback."

These high standards have been helpful, he said. Even when feedback can be tough to hear, it provides an opportunity to grow.

"Support and accountability go hand in hand," Fortenberry said. "We share materials, evaluate each other honestly and help each other improve."

Fortenberry also extends his approach to his students. He intentionally challenges them to give their best in the classroom.

"My father always said, 'Students rise to the level of expectation,'" Fortenberry said. "So, I set my expectations high."

Fortenberry noted that this cuts both ways, saying that his students keep him on his toes and will not hesitate to speak up.

"My students challenge me every day," he said. "They make sure I'm ready."

Fortenberry knows his approach can be tough, but he loves to see his students push themselves to new heights.

"If we're comfortable, we don't change," he said. "The challenge is finding the balance, enough difficulty to help students grow, but not so much that they become discouraged.

"Watching students go from 'I can't do this' to 'I can'; that's the best part of teaching."

Top: Chemistry professor Ryan Fortenberry lectures to students in his Physical Chemistry II class in Coulter Hall. Fortenberry has been named winner of the university's Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award for 2026. Photo by Thomas Graning/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services