1. April 24, 2016
Dear Fellowship Review Committee,
I am pleased to provide this letter of recommendation for Bashar Aldaomi, who I believe is extremely
well qualified for the Oregon SYLFF Graduate Fellowships for International Research at the University of
Oregon.
I have worked with Bashar as a Teaching Assistant for two of my classes this year and am very impressed
with his leadership and mentorship. I nominated him for the PSU Student Employee Leadership Award
due to his initiative and excellent rapport with students. Bashar is very responsible and dedicated to his
TA position and to helping the undergraduate students succeed in class. In winter term he ran two Fluid
Mechanics lab sections each week, grading lab reports and providing detailed feedback to help students
improve their writing and organization skills. This term he is TA for my Environmental Engineering class
and does a great job independently explaining class material to students during his office hours and
even holds extra review sessions in addition to grading homework assignments. Students often tell me
how much they appreciate his willingness to answer questions outside of regular office hours and how
committed he is to helping them. Bashar always has the students’ best interest at heart and is
completely invested in his position as TA.
Bashar is a wonderful mentor to the students and is always thinking about how to engage and
encourage them, both as a group and individually. I was especially impressed when he requested a
meeting with me to discuss some potential ideas for class activities to help improve student motivation
and provide additional learning opportunities. His enthusiasm for water treatment theory and
technology is apparent and contagious, easily bridging any cultural gaps.
In addition to his work as a teaching assistant and research assistant Bashar has been active as an
International Student Mentor, helping new international students adjust to life in the United States. I
believe this experience helped him strengthen his already excellent communication skills as evidenced
by the intercultural leadership award he received.
Bashar is clearly a leader who has made a difference to students on this campus and through his
research will continue working to improve the treatment and management of water in a way that will
increase safety and health for all. I highly recommend him for the Oregon SYLFF Graduate Fellowship.
Sincerely,
Annette C. Dietz, Ph.D.
Acdietz@pdx.edu
Instructor, Civil & Environmental Engineering
Portland State University