The Elon College Faculty Excellence Awards for 2005 were presented on April 21, 2005
The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the Elon teacher-scholar -- outstanding in the classroom, current in the discipline, and committed to the intellectual development of students. Elon's mission statement calls for "a rich intellectual community characterized by active student engagement with a faculty dedicated to excellent teaching." The selection committee looked for excellence in the classroom as tangibly demonstrated by teaching and administrative evaluations for the preceding three years. Equally important were intangible factors such as inspiring students in the discipline, embracing ways to engage students in active learning, being available to students outside the classroom, being known as an excellent academic adviser, and having a willingness to teach where needed.
We are honored to present the Excellence in Teaching Award to three Elon College Faculty.
Robert Vick (Department of
Biology). Robert is a passionate teacher who has
taught a wide variety of courses. His pedagogical bag
of tricks includes inquiry-based labs in which students
develop and test hypotheses of their own invention, humorous
anecdotes from his clinical experiences at the Medical
College of Virginia, interactive lectures using the Socratic
method, scavenger hunts, minute quizzes, journal clubs, case
studies, web-based exercises, electronic quizzes on
Blackboard, collaborative in-class projects, and many
others. Robert is widely recognized as a master teacher
by students and fellow faculty members. His incredible
rapport with students is based on mutual respect.
Comments from students include: "hard as heck, but well
worth the effort, Dr. Vick shows a great interest in the
class, I wish he taught more classes; Dr. Vick is one of the
greatest teachers that I had in all my schooling, he is
always willing to help you whenever needed, he makes learning
fun and makes hard things a lot easier to understand; Dr.
Vick is an individual who embodies all that Elon advertises
and he is a person whom I can truly call a
friend." His undergraduate research mentoring has
resulted in research journal publications, peer-reviewed
student presentations at the National Conference on
Undergraduate Research, student presentations at the North
Carolina Academy of Science, and numerous on-campus SURF
presentations. In recognition of his teaching
excellence, Robert has already received the SGA Outstanding
Professor Award in 1998, SGA Faculty Member of the Year Award
in 2000, Greek Faculty Member of the Year Award in 1999, and
was selected as a Faculty Assisting New Students in 1999 and
2001. Robert, thank you for your excellence in
teaching.
Fred Rubeck (Department of
Performing Art). Fred is a teacher who
challenges and stimulates, brightens and enthuses, and who
engages his students in their own learning, reflection and
critique. When considering the various ways that
theatre energizes and informs our individual and collective
worlds, no one makes these connections more vivid and
relevant to students and audiences than Fred Rubeck. As
a director, he is thoroughly committed to his
craft. Every rehearsal is filled with creative
energy, insight and masterful direction. He has a great
creative talent and whether he is at the helm of The Crucible
or Picasso at the Lapine Agile, his direction demonstrates
currency, creativity and commitment. Students
note that Fred's tough but positive approach in the
classroom made their acting skills improve far beyond what
they thought possible. His classroom work is excellent
- well-prepared, organized and very effective. The
students in Fred's classes describe their experience
as: "the best acting class I've ever had;
organized, focused and teaches us important life skills; he
displays a passion for his work that is so encouraging to his
actors and is always responsive to the needs and concerns of
the students; Elon is lucky to have educators like Professor
Rubeck as part of the faculty, he has touched the lives of
many of his student." His students have attended
some of the best graduate programs in the country, including
Yale and the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.
Fred is also known for his dynamic service to the
life of the institution as well as outstanding professional
activity. His creative spirit, work ethic and
dedication to the department, the university and his students
make him an exemplary and cherished faculty member.
Fred, thank you for your excellence in teaching.
Jean Schwind (Department of
English). Jean is the consummate teacher:
thoroughly prepared for every class, creative, and varied in
her presentation, always aware of new books or other material
that could be used in her courses, willing to share class
decision-making with her students. In the English
Department, it has long been a truism that if you want to
know how to make student class discussion meaningful, observe
Jean's class. Jean has created numerous new courses
and regularly teaches several sections of Global Studies,
including Honors sections of Global -- an honor in
itself. A tireless worker in the English
department-committee member, colleague, and teacher
"Jean is a voice of caring and wisdom in the
department. Her colleagues are amazed and awed by
her energy, intelligence, compassion, and generosity.
Jean shares freely the pedagogical material she has worked
hard to develop. As a result, many faculty have been
the beneficiaries of her creative teaching techniques.
On a weekly basis, students - from freshmen to seniors - are
heard praising Jean for her challenging, creative and
outstanding teaching. Student comments include: "the
best teacher I have ever had; she makes me enjoy literature;
I have never worked so hard or learned so much."
Jean has been a research mentor to many students, several of
whom have gone on to present research at SURF and NCUR.
While remaining devoted to her teaching and her students,
Jean has been a strong voice on Academic Council and in the
General Studies Program and continues to maintain an active
professional life. A colleague notes that Jean
represents the ideal combination of qualities that any
teacher needs, but rarely possesses. Jean, thank you
for your excellence in teaching.
The Excellence in Service/Leadership Award recognizes a faculty member who richly contributes to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the College, University and profession. We value the many service and leadership roles performed by faculty. The teacher-scholar document calls on faculty to "dedicate their talents, experience, and leadership skills to activities that sustain, develop, and improve the entire institution." We value presence on campus, noting over time who does the big and little tasks that make us a better College. The selection committee focused on the tangible results of service for the preceding year. Equally important were intangible factors such as a willingness to volunteer one?s time when needed, to carry new ideas to reality, and to engage in shared governance.
We are honored to present the Excellence in Service/Leadership Award to two Elon College Faculty.
Tom Arcaro
(Department of Sociology and
Anthropology).
Tom has long challenged his students not just to "talk
the talk" but to "walk the walk" of a
concerned global citizen. For many years at Elon, this
faculty member has himself walked that walk. Tom has
consistently understood his teaching to be an expression of
his broader commitment to address the social problems and
injustices of our society and the world. As Founding
Director of the university's Project Pericles Program,
his work (and that of his students) is changing the character
of our university. The class of 2006 Periclean Scholars
has already made their mark with extensive work studying and
responding to the AIDS epidemic in Africa through their own
films, fundraising, and other forms of support. The
class of 2007 has begun addressing nutrition and poverty
issues in Honduras. The Periclean Service Sabbaticals
program is currently granting month-long service
opportunities to four Elon employees a year. Course
Enhancement Grants - building service components into classes
- were received by 36 Elon Faculty. And "The
Periclean Award for Civic Engagement and Social
Responsibility" has become one of the major recognitions
for faculty at our institution. Through the years, he
has advised social organizations, developed the Sociology
Honor Society, supervised student internships, been a pioneer
in the Global Studies program, directed the winter Term in
London, chaired FR&D and coordinated Asian/Pacific
Studies. Most recently, the Periclean documentary film
"The Measure of our Humanity" was accepted as part
of the Artivist Film Festival in Los
Angeles. Developed by Tom, Jay McMerty and
several students, the film embodies the commitment of our
students to the broader problems of the world. Tomorrow
that group will travel to Los Angeles to attend the opening
and participate in the surrounding events. Tom, thank
you for your excellence in Service-Leadership.
Pam Kiser
(Department of Human Services). Pam is widely recognized across campus as
an excellent teacher and outstanding administrator.
Despite the demands of university service and administration,
Pam's door is always open. Her availability and
generous spirit extend to students, faculty and deans.
While most department chairs consider their responsibilities
as chair to be their most significant service to the
institution, in Pam's case it is but one of her major
areas of campus involvement. As chair of Human Services
she leads and manages a rapidly growing and ever-changing
department with creativity, professionalism, and
wisdom. As the Kernodle Service-Learning Faculty
Development Fellow she has established the Service-Learning
Faculty Advisory Committee, of which she is now chair, and
developed the Service-Learning Faculty Scholars
Program. She coordinates faculty workshops related to
Service-Learning and organizes the Brown Bag series of
faculty lunches. Her expertise in service-learning was
recognized with a Project Interweave grant for
2004-2006. Pam's leadership currently
includes service on: the Civic Engagement Committee, the
Community Outreach Committee, the Experiential Education
Advisory Committee, the Faculty Diversity Committee, the Phi
Beta Kappa Committee, the Health Benefits Advisory Committee,
and the Family Policy and Faculty/Staff Benefits Committee,
to name only a few. If this isn't enough Pam
provides significant leadership to community agencies
including Cross Roads and the Juvenile Crime and Prevention
Committee. In recognition of her expertise, Pam was a
finalist for the Thomas Erlich Faculty Award for
Service-Learning by the National Campus Compact. Pam is
truly a creative leader and a stabilizing force within the
Human Services Department, the College and the
University. Pam, thank you for your excellence in
service-leadership.
The Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes a faculty member whose scholarly work has made a significant intellectual impact. Elon's teacher-scholar model describes scholarship as "the most fundamental form of professional activity." We value the scholarship of discovering new knowledge, integrating knowledge, applying knowledge, and developing pedagogical innovations. The selection committee considered tangible evidence of peer-reviewed research and creative activity that was published or presented during the preceding year. Equally important were intangible factors such as supporting the scholarly endeavors of colleagues, advancing the University's reputation, and mentoring students in undergraduate research. At Elon, a professor cannot be measured by the articles published, to the exclusion of the lives inspired.
We are honored to present the Excellence in Scholarship Award to two faculty.
Kevin Boyle
(Department of English). Kevin is known as a fabulous teacher,
much loved and respected by students. He has created numerous
courses and taught in Ireland and London. A very funny
man; his introductions of speakers are legend and always much
anticipated. Kevin brings in wonderful visiting
writers; he organizes readings for the English department and
the Hartmann creative writing award; and for many years he
was in charge of Colonnades. Already an award winner
and poet of note, Kevin had an incredibly productive
year. Kevin has had eleven individual poems published.
His poem the Natural Bridge was published in a Special
Diaspora Issue of the Emigrant. Kevin also had translations
of two poems written by major Spanish poets accepted for
publication. He presented a paper in Havana, Cuba and
came in second place in a North Carolina fiction contest.
Additionally, he published four book reviews and gave
numerous readings. Later this year, Notre Dame Press
will include Kevin?s poem The Lullaby of History in The Book
of Irish-American Poetry. While this is already
an impressive list of scholarship, there is more.
Kevin?s book of poetry Home for Wayward Girls was recently
published and received the New Issues Press Poetry
award. A colleague notes that Kevin's poems are
striking for their steadfast desire to soak themselves in the
often inexpressible feelings and thoughts that lie at the
heart of everyday life, his work is filled with an
affectionate humor that is thoroughly unsentimental, these
are smart, moving poems by a writer who deserves our
attention. Kevin, thank you for your excellence in
scholarship.
Brant Touchette (Department of
Biology). As a
member of the Biology Department and the Environmental
Studies Program, Brant has excelled in the areas of teaching,
student mentoring, and scholarship. His research
interests include the physiological-ecology of submersed and
emergent aquatic flowering plants and their responses to
human-induced disturbances in freshwater, estuarine, and
marine habitats. His research also focuses on the
development of new technologies to identify and mitigate
harmful algal blooms of cyanobacteria that result when
nutrient-enriched runoff enters natural waters. Brant
is an extraordinarily active researcher who has worked on 7
different research projects in the last year. He has
received external grant funding totaling over $85,000.00 to
support his work: three grants to support wetland
research projects and 4 grants to support his water quality
research. His work has resulted in 4 published papers,
5 published abstracts, and 3 scientific presentations over
the last year. Brant is a strong supporter of
undergraduate research and currently has 7 students working
under his supervision. Recently, three of these
students presented their research in a poster session at the
annual Water Resources Research Institute meeting. One
of these posters won an award. In the last year, Brant
has inspired the students in his botany class by giving them
the opportunity to conduct real-world research. With a
grant from Tarheel Research Limited, his botany students have
conducted and continue to conduct controlled experiments in
the Elon University green house to test the efficacy of a
newly developed company product?seeds encapsulated with added
plant hormones to increase germination success and
growth. It must be working, because Brant's
scholarship is already seeing tremendous success and
growth. Brant, thank you for your excellence in
scholarship.
During the program in Whitley Auditorium, David Runkel, a junior Math-Education major, music minor and North Carolina Teaching Fellow, and Sharon LaRocco, Instructor of Music and University Accompanist. dazzled the audience with a saxophone-piano performance.
