SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - As a teacher, recognition from those you have taught or are teaching and from peers you admire is often considered the highest praise in a teacher's career. Friday, April 11, at Wittenberg University's Honors Convocation, Pamela S. Schindler, professor of management and director of the Center for Applied Management, earned the highest recognition bestowed on a faculty member and now adds the title of 2003 Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching recipient to her impressive list of accomplishments.

The teaching award, established in 1960, recognizes the superior classroom teaching of senior, full-time faculty members and includes a $2,000 stipend. Alumni, current students, faculty and staff submit nominations annually for this honor with the recipient selected by a committee comprised of alumni, student leaders and former Distinguished Teaching Award winners.

Of this year's winner, one alumna said, "She is the type of educator who pushes beyond the required role to find excellence in each of her students. As an educator, she has the unique ability to identify each particular student's capabilities and talents in order to maximize their potential." The nominator continued, "She sets herself apart by placing her students in a hands-on environment, and she indisputably loves her job, and her accomplishments are seen in her students' successes."

"That my students succeed is all the recognition I've ever needed," Schindler added. "So, this award is like dessert accompanying an already sumptuous dinner - maybe more than I really needed but very satisfying all the same," she said.

"I was blessed with parents who valued change and with associations with many outstanding and motivating teachers in my career," Schindler continued. "If I've passed on my love and appreciation for continuous learning to my students, then I have succeeded."

Schindler, who won the national Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education and the Showcase Award for innovation in management, is a national Small Business Fellow. She was selected for her contributions to advance the field of small business management and her consultation in strategic marketing and advertising, which has spanned more than two decades. In addition, her students have earned national and regional awards in management case competitions.

In addition to being named 2003 Outstanding Teacher by the Wittenberg Alumni Association, this year Schindler saw the publication of the eighth edition of her book Business Research Methods, as well its translation into a third language (Chinese).

Schindler, who stresses the importance of finding opportunity in a constantly changing environment in her classes, teaches courses in marketing, advertising, small business, research and applied management and serves as director of Wittenberg's Center for Applied Management. In the latter capacity, Schindler supervises the department's students who are involved in experiential learning programs with area businesses, with civic, arts, and social-service organizations, and with government agencies. Some of these programs include the Small Business Institute, the Creative Advertising Partnership, Project Management Assistance, and various management internships.

A former editor and a regular contributor to the Small Business Institute Director's Association newsletter, "Momentum," Schindler served as vice president of publications as well as of marketing and membership on the national governing body of SBI programs.

A co-author of "Business Research Methods," 8th edition, published by Irwin/McGraw Hill, Schindler has also published in the "Journal of Marketing Education," "Journal of Psychology and Marketing," "Journal of Business and Entrepreneurship," and numerous small business conference "Proceedings." She has two manuscripts in print on publicity.

A management and marketing consultant, Schindler was an associate buyer for a large department store before joining the Wittenberg faculty in 1975. She received her B.A. degree from the University of Cincinnati and her M.B.A. degree from the University of Dayton.

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