CSB/SJU Honor Top Faculty Members

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June 2, 1997

Collegeville, Minn. - The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University recently presented teacher of distinction awards to Jeff Anderson, assistant professor of peace studies, and Kaarin Johnston, professor of theater, for their work during the 1996-97 academic year.

The awards publicly celebrate the importance of excellence in teaching at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.

Johnston was presented with the Sister Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award from CSB. The president of CSB from 1963 to 1968, Grell taught biology for 30 years beginning in 1933. She later served as superior of the dependent priory of Saint Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H., before her death in 1981.

Anderson received the Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award from SJU. The award is named in honor of Spaeth, who died in 1994. He served as dean of the college at SJU for nine years in addition to offering lengthy terms of service as a professor of liberal studies and director of Freshman Symposium.

CSB and SJU also presented Advising Awards for outstanding work in advising students during the 1996-97 academic year to Sister Ann Marie Biermaier, OSB, associate professor of education; Richard Bohr, associate professor of history and director of the Asian studies program; Tom Darnall, associate professor of theater; the Rev. Luke Mancuso, OSB, assistant professor of English; Bela Petheo, professor emeritus of art; Chuck Rodell, professor of biology; the Rev. Dan Ward, OSB, professor of political science and Lynn Ziegler, associate professor of computer science.

Faculty receiving promotions this year to the rank of professor were Phil Byrne, mathematics and Sister Dennis Frandrup, OSB, art.

Faculty receiving promotions to associate professor and tenure included Tony Cunningham, philosophy; Andrew Holey, computer science; Janet Hope, sociology; Aubrey Immelman, psychology and Kristen Vonnegut, communication. Faculty receiving tenure included Joann Wessman, nursing.

Bela Petheo and the Rev. Don Talafous, OSB, were appointed Professor Emeritus, while the Rev. Godfrey Diekmann, OSB, and Jon Hassler were appointed Regents Professor Emeritus by SJU President Brother Dietrich Reinhart, OSB. CSB President Mary Lyons appointed Sister Linda Kulzer, OSB, and Sister Colman O'Connell, OSB as Professor Emerita. Other CSB/SJU faculty retiring this year include Sister Angelo Haspert, OSB, assistant professor of theology; Sister Emmanuel Renner, OSB, professor of history and Sister Margaret Van Kempen, OSB, assistant professor of geology.