In keeping with Wittenberg University's strategic goal to "recognize, reward and invest in outstanding faculty," a member of Wittenberg faculty made an anonymous gift to The Wittenberg Fund to provide for two new teaching awards—the Collegium Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, and the Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching.
During Honors Convocation, April 15, the first-ever recipients of these inaugural teaching awards were announced by the administrator of the university's Faculty Development Board (FDB), Ty Buckman, professor of English.
"These new teaching awards have the distinction of being awarded to faculty by their faculty colleagues," Buckman said. "They recognize teaching excellence as reflected in the evidence of good teaching—syllabi, assignments, course evaluations, and related materials—and are intended to call attention to faculty who have put in special effort to improve their teaching and to create the richest possible learning experience for their students."
Associate Professor of Political Science Ed Hasecke received the Collegium Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, which requires that a nominee must have taught for at least three years at Wittenberg and includes a one-time $1,000 stipend.
"I am very flattered to be selected as the Collegium Award winner. The students are a key part of my success," Hasecke said. "They have accepted my teaching experiments and helped me learn in the process. Their enthusiasm inspires me to make the classroom a fun and engaging experience. I am surrounded by great colleagues who set an example for what it means to take teaching seriously. My admiration for my colleagues is what makes this award so special."
Buckman explained that the review committee was impressed by Hasecke's efforts to link the course material he teaches with his students' roles as citizens. They noted in particular his success in incorporating after-school programs in Springfield as a ‘real world' public policy issue that engaged students around an issue of obvious importance to the community.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business John Fenimore received the Provost's Award, which recognizes the highest level of teaching excellence by a visiting or adjunct faculty member at Wittenberg. Judging includes a faculty member's commitment to growing and improving as a teaching scholar. The award includes a one-time $500 stipend.
Fenimore was unaware that he was under consideration for the award until he was told in November 2010 that he was one of three finalists being considered. He then learned that his colleagues had submitted his name.
"I can only guess at how much time and effort they put into the nomination," he said. "To be recognized by my colleagues in this way is very gratifying. I was overwhelmed with the significance. In 11 years of teaching at Witt, my thoughts have always been centered on providing the best education and advising for our students so they can achieve their personal goals. To receive this recognition when there are so many deserving faculty is a humbling experience."
The review committee added that it was "clear from multiple sources that Fenimore upholds rigorous standards while providing significant opportunities to help his students succeed. Numerous letters from students and alumni attest to his dedication to preparing students for graduate school and careers beyond Wittenberg."
Both awards require nominees to submit a portfolio of teaching materials, including syllabi, sample assignments, IDEA reports, a recent peer teaching evaluation, and a brief statement of teaching philosophy to the FDB for review.
The winners were honored at the final collegiality hour of the academic year on May 6, and they will be recognized during Opening Convocation in the fall.
"At a place like Wittenberg where the standards of teaching are high, it is easy to take for granted the excellent teaching that goes on everyday inside and outside our classrooms and labs," Buckman said. "These awards—funded by an anonymous faculty gift -- highlight a fact that faculty know perhaps better than anyone: that good teaching is the product of hard work and a deep commitment to student learning."
Written By: Phyllis Eberts
Photo By: Erin Pence
