Teaching award submissions being accepted until April 4
- Past recipients include Mass Media Communications Professor Gwin Faulconer-Lippert in 2003, accounting Professor Kayla Fessler in 2006 and biology Professor Richard Trout in 2007.
- The award is announced during May commencement.
By Chris Abdoo, News Writing Student
Spring of each year, the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented to a full-time faculty member who exemplifies teaching excellence.
Past recipients include Mass Media Communications Professor Gwin Faulconer-Lippert in 2003, accounting Professor Kayla Fessler in 2006 and biology Professor Richard Trout in 2007.
Faulconer-Lippert said the award meant a lot to her.
“It’s such an honor,” Faulconer-Lippert said, “to be recognized by the same faculty and student body which inspired me to teach 20 years ago.”
Fessler echoed these sentiments.
“It’s a great honor if not the greatest,” Fessler said.
“Just look at this campus, filled with quite possibly the best staff, and to be set aside, it was very humbling.”
Trout said it’s an honor to receive the award.
“The highest honor, this is it,” said Trout, who went from sitting on the back row to center stage last year.
The award is announced during May commencement.
When asked about teaching excellence, each past recipient had an answer.
“Students really need to feel teachers care about them,” Faulconer-Lippert said.
Fessler said passion and knowledge are key.
“A passion for teaching and a knowledge of your discipline,” Fessler said.
Trout said both students and teachers have a responsibility to each other.
“If students try and fail, I fail,” Trout said.
To be considered for the award, a faculty member must be nominated by a fellow faculty member, staff member or a current or former student.
After a review of all the nominations, a selection committee appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs Felix Aquino will recommend three candidates to President Paul Sechrist, who then makes the final selection.
“A student’s nomination is most important in the selection committee, and is really taken to heart,” Faulconer-Lippert said.
Faculty, staff and students can print off nomination forms at www.occc.edu/institutionalcommittees and clicking on the President’s Award for Excellence.
The deadline to submit nominations is April 4.
For more information, visit www.occc.edu.
