Faculty honored at Academic Affairs Awards and Recognition Ceremony

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May 11, 2011

Faculty awards
Left to right: Patricia Bolaños, Scott Johnson, Anna McKenna, Richard Wielkiewicz and Stephen Stelzner

Faculty and staff members from the College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, and Saint John's University, Collegeville, were honored at the Academic Affairs Awards and Recognition Ceremony May 10 at the Alumni Lounge, SJU.

In addition to recognition for years of service, promotions, contributions as department chairs and leaders, the following awards were presented:

S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award
Stephen Stelzner, professor of psychology

S. Mary, a noted biologist, served students at CSB and SJU for more than 35 years with intelligence, dedication and affection. The difference S. Mary made in her lifetime of teaching at CSB is celebrated through the recognition each year of a faculty member who represents the best teaching and learning at CSB and SJU. S. Mary served as president of CSB from 1963-68. This award has been presented yearly since 1995.

Stelzner, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1986, brings creativity to his teaching and reminds us through his passionate teaching that experience can deepen understanding of any subject.   

Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award
J. Scott Johnson, professor of political science

This award is named in honor of Spaeth, who served as dean at SJU for nine years in addition to service as a professor of liberal studies from 1979 until his death in 1994. Each year, Spaeth's commitment to excellent teaching is remembered by honoring a faculty member who brings a special passion and mastery to the classroom and the learning community. This award has been presented yearly since 1995.

Johnson, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1992, makes sure to engage students not only in the classroom but in his office, the hallways or the playing fields. He remembers that intellectual life exists and can be nurtured wherever students live, work or play. He is also noted for his work mentoring his students after they graduate.

Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award
Richard Wielkiewicz, professor of psychology

The Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award is given annually to a faculty member who exemplifies demonstrated excellence in scholarship as well as teaching, conducts student/faculty collaborative research or creative work and excels in the mentoring of students. In recognition of the late Linda Mealey's contributions to the CSB and SJU community, this award is named in honor of Mealey, who received the award in 2002. The award, which was established as the Teacher-Scholar Award in 2000, was renamed for Mealey in 2004.

Wielkiewicz, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1988, helps students see the connection between research and learning, and between scholarship and life. In his teaching - and his supervision of honors' theses - Wielkiewicz demonstrates his own curiosity and intellectual commitments.

S. Linda Kulzer Gender Educator Award
Patricia Bolaños, associate professor of gender and women's studies and Hispanic Studies

This award recognizes a member of the CSB and SJU faculty whose work has been especially important to gender education development. S. Linda, CSB's Vice President for Academic Affairs from 1977-85 and a professor emerita of education, was a pioneer in the colleges' earliest efforts to integrate gender into the curriculum.

Bolaños, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1994, was honored for her work with the Gender and Women's Studies (now Gender Studies) program. In 2009, when she became director of the program, there were 16 majors and minors. Today, there are 45 majors and minors. Bolaños reached out to faculty in fine arts, natural sciences and professional programs to create new classes to serve students. And, she introduced a May term study abroad experience in Ecuador for majors where they can engage in service and experiential learning in the context of their Gender Studies coursework.

Tom Creed Award for Effective Electronic Pedagogy
Anna McKenna, associate professor of chemistry

This award is given for effective electronic pedagogy and is named in honor of Tom Creed, the late professor of psychology at CSB and SJU and founder and first director of the Learning Enhancement Service.

McKenna, who has taught at CSB and SJU since 1983, was honored for her development of the Moodle Chem Tutor. The Moodle Chem Tutor is a part of a large curriculum revision project that changes how the chemistry department teaches its introductory chemistry sequence.  The Chem Tutor provides challenge questions augmented with an online tutoring facility. The content of the Moodle Chem Tutor expands on the material offered in the typical college chemistry textbook, providing students with the background required for 21st century chemistry.

Additional Recognition and Years of Service Awards:

  • Academic advising awards:  Jeanne Cofell, education adviser; Dana Drazenovich, adjunct instructor of communication.
  • Tenure and promotion to associate professor: Eleonora Bertranou, Hispanic Studies; Michael Borka, education; Warren Bostrom, accounting and finance; Claire Haeg, political science; Samuel Johnson, art; Jean Lavigne, environmental studies; Sanford Moskowitz, management; Imad Rahal, computer science; Parker Wheatley, economics.
  • Promotion to professor: Kathleen Cahalan, School of Theology; Bruce Campbell, Hispanic Studies; Manuel Campos, biology; Martin Connell, theology; Michael Reagan, biology.
  • Professor alumna: Sandra Bot-Miller, education; S. Lois Wedl, OSB, education.
  • Professor emerita: Cheryl Knox, biology.
  • Professor emeritus: Donald Hoodecheck, education.
  • Outgoing department chairs: Richard Albares, associate professor of sociology; José Antonio Fábres, associate professor of Hispanic Studies; Richard Ice, professor of communication; Wendy Klepetar, professor of management; the Rev. Dale Launderville, OSB, professor of theology; Kay Wolsborn, political science.  
  • Service as acting department chair: Edward McIntee, associate professor of chemistry; Mike Opitz, professor of English; Christopher Schaller, associate professor of chemistry; Andrea Shaker, professor of art; Elisabeth Wengler, associate professor of history.
  • Service as division head: David Bennetts, humanities; Ernest Diedrich, social sciences; J. Andrew Holey, natural sciences; Gregory Walker, fine arts.
  • Outgoing Joint Faculty Senate Chair: Noreen Herzfeld, professor of computer science and theology.  
  • 10 years of service: David Arnott, associate professor of music; Dana Drazenovich, adjunct instructor of communication; Donald Fischer, associate professor of physical education; Robert Hesse, associate professor of mathematics; Kelly Kramer, associate professor of peace studies; Janna LaFountaine, associate professor of physical education; Br. David Paul Lange, OSB, associate professor of art; Edward McIntee, associate professor of chemistry; Ricky Saucier, associate professor of management; Erin Szabo, associate professor of communication. 
  • 15 years of service: Jeffrey Kamakahi, associate professor of sociology; Jean Keller, associate professor of philosophy; William Lamberts, associate professor of biology; Kathleen Lehn, assistant professor of nursing; Chris Schaller, associate professor of chemistry. 
  • 20 years of service: Anthony Cunningham, professor of philosophy; J. Andrew Holey, professor of computer science; Aubrey Immelman, associate professor of psychology; Philip Kronebusch, professor of political science.
  • 25 years of service: Brian Johnson, professor of chemistry; Andreas Kiryakakis, associate professor of modern and classical languages; the Rev. Dale Launderville, OSB, professor of theology; Manju Parikh, professor of political science; O. Nicholas Raths, adjunct assistant professor of music; Steven Stelzner, professor of psychology; S. Lois Wedl, OSB, assistant professor of education; Richard White, associate professor of chemistry;
  • 30 years of service: Bernard Evans, associate professor of theology; S. Christine Manderfeld, OSB, instructor of education; LuAnn Reif, associate professor of nursing; S. Mary Reuter, OSB, associate professor of theology; Timothy Robinson, professor of philosophy; Stephen Saupe, professor of biology; Michael Tangredi, associate professor of mathematics; Martha Tomhave Blauvelt, professor of history; Edward Turley, professor of music.
  • 35 years of service: Kenneth Jones, professor of history; James Poff, professor of biology; Charles Rambeck, professor of economics; Daniel Steck, professor of physics.
  • 40 years of service: James Hendershot, associate professor of art.
  • Retirement: Sandra Bot-Miller, adjunct instructor of education; Quentin Gerber, professor of accounting and finance; Donald Hoodecheck, associate professor of education; James Johnson, adjunct assistant professor of mathematics; Cheryl Knox, associate professor of biology; S. Lois Wedl, OSB, assistant professor of education.