On Campus: Awards and Honors
Da
wn Hankins Wins UMC Award
Dr. Dawn Hankins, professor of athletic training and chair of the School of Health Professions, received
the 2015 United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education Exemplary Teacher Award
at the April 23 Honors Convocation. It recognizes excellence in teaching, concern
for students and colleagues, commitment to values-centered education, and service
beyond the classroom. Dawn, who has taught at McKendree since 1997, oversees a discipline
that has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. Dr. Christine Bahr, provost,
noted “she is widely regarded as an outstanding teacher who is passionate about teaching
and even more passionate about preparing students to be successful professionals.”
Associate Faculty Honors
Two Associate Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching were presented at the Honors
Convocation - one on the Hett stage, and the other via a recorded Skype video chat.
George Kruse is the principal instructor for the Accounting for Managers course and
the Corporate Finance and Investments course in the online MBA format. A CPA who specializes
in estate, gift, and trust matters, he integrates abstract theories with his vast
business and professional experience. Stephanie Fawcett-Colby, who lives in Japan,
has taught online undergraduate courses including astronomy, and earth and astronomical
science for six years.
Outstanding Kentucky Faculty Honors
Two full-time instructors were honored by the Alumni Association at the Kentucky Commencement
Ceremony with the 2015 Outstanding Faculty Awards. Donna Ulrich joined the Radcliff
campus as a full-time human resources management instructor in 2014. Sara Bolton is
a certified nurse educator, based out of the Louisville campus, and has served the
Kentucky campuses since 1997 as a full-time nursing instructor.
Grandy Faculty Award
Dr. Ann Collins was delighted and surprised to win the 2015 William Norman Grandy
Faculty Award at the May 9 undergraduate commencement ceremony. For 35 years, the
Alumni Association has honored one full-time faculty member for outstanding commitment
to the University and its students.
The associate professor of political science, who claims she has “the best job at
McKendree University,” teaches courses in American politics, state and local government,
and public policy. “She displays a particular talent for facilitating student discussion
about complex cultural and political issues without alienating those on one side or
the other,” said Alumni Association President Maria Page, ’89, MAED ’06. “She is widely
regarded as passionate, thoughtful and fair.”
In nine years on the faculty, Ann has developed the Virtual Center for Teaching Excellence,
initiated the Teaching Circles faculty feedback program, and leads a book study group
about teaching strategies.
Beyond the classroom, she is an accomplished scholar of 20th century race riots who
is often called upon to share her expertise with professional audiences and the media.
Her first book, “All Hell Broke Loose: American Race Riots from the Progressive Era
through World War II,” has made a significant contribution to the field. She is currently
working on a second book.
President's Award for Professional Excellence
The Reverend Dr. Tim Harrison, chaplain and director of church relations, received
the second annual President’s Award for Professional Excellence at the Honors Convocation.
The award recognizes a staff member for leadership, distinguished accomplishment,
job performance, creativity and innovation, and outstanding service to the University.
A staff member for 17 years, Tim “offers wisdom, clarity, patience, an understanding
of social injustices, a passion for diversity, and humility,” said Victoria Dowling,
senior vice president. “He is a wonderful individual who always has a smile on his
face, and exemplifies the true McKendree spirit.”
