College of Arts and Sciences Recognizes Faculty and Staff Excellence
05/22/2023
Each spring semester, the College of Arts and Sciences recognizes the outstanding teaching and mentoring contributions of faculty, and the dedication and hard work of staff.
Three undergraduate teaching awards are made (one each in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences), as well as a single award for graduate teaching and one for adjunct teaching. Awards for excellence in mentoring are made to faculty, one at the undergraduate level and one graduate award. A final award is made to a staff member in the College who exemplifies the mission of the university.
This year's winners were:
- Donald G. Brennan Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring: Jeffrey Gfeller, Ph.D. (Psychology)
- Donald G. Brennan Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching: Harold Braswell, Ph.D. (Health Care Ethics)
- Kathryn E. Kuhn Award for Excellence in Service: Annie Smart, Ph.D. (Languages, Literatures and Cultures)
- Helen I. Mandeville Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in the Humanities: Sam Conedera, Ph.D., S.J. (History) -
- William V. Stauder, S.J. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in the Natural Sciences: Elena Bray Speth, Ph.D. (Biology)
- Chauncey E. Finch Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring: Kristen Kiddoo, Ph.D. (Psychology)
- Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award: Jon Garrett (Visual and Performing Arts)
- Staff Excellence Award: Jennifer Semsar (Women's and Gender Studies)
- Technical Staff Excellence Award: Wendy Teal (Biology)
For the awards, teachers are recognized for their ability to demonstrate knowledge of course content, displaying a passion for the ideas being taught, being clear with students, showing the ability to inspire students and other factors. Mentors are cited for their availability, expertise, guidance offered and more.
The staff excellence award honors those who show superior judgment and decision making among other skills.
All winners are nominated by undergraduate students, graduate students and faculty members. The winners are chosen by a selection committee.
The winners were notified this winter and recognized at a ceremony in early May.