Professor Eric Forsythe received the 2005 Philip G. Hubbard Award for Outstanding Education. The award was created by a gift from Joseph A. Walder, MD, PhD, a former UI professor of biochemistry and founder of Integrated DNA Technologies. It honors the late UI professor and administrator Philip G. Hubbard and his commitment to educational excellence. The award recognizes the UI faculty member who has best exemplified extended teaching excellence.

Professor Forsythe, who joined the UI theatre arts faculty in 1986, heads the directing program and formerly led the acting program. He received his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and a Master of Fine Arts and a doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University. His training with legendary director Jerzy Grotowski's Lab Theatre in Poland formed the basis for his teaching and acting/directing philosophy.