Linda Tennison, Richard Ice and Charles Rodell Receive Outstanding Faculty Awards at CSB/SJU

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Faculty and staff members from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University were honored at the Academic Affairs Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 2.  In addition to recognition for years of service, promotions, contributions as department chairs and leaders, the following awards were presented. 

CSB S. Mary Grell Teacher of Distinction Award – Linda Tennison, associate professor of psychology
S. Mary Grell, a noted biologist, served students at CSB/SJU for more than 35 years with intelligence, skill, dedication and genuine affection for them.  The difference S. Mary made in her lifetime of teaching at Saint Benedict is celebrated through the recognition each year of a faculty member who represents the best of teaching and learning at CSB/SJU.  

Tennison’s scholarship and professional work is impressive, and several of her publications and presentations include undergraduate collaborators.  This promotion and mentoring of students in their own research has been an integral part of Tennison’s interaction with students since her arrival at CSB/SJU.  Tennison’s teaching goal is to promote a collegial, active and integrated environment for learning that she finds keeps her learning alongside her students and fellow faculty

SJU Robert L. Spaeth Teacher of Distinction Award – Richard Ice, associate professor of communication
This award is named in honor of Spaeth, who died in 1994. He served as dean at SJU for nine years, in addition to offering lengthy terms of service as professor of liberal studies and director of freshman symposium.  Each year, Spaeth’s commitment to excellent teaching is remembered by honoring a faculty who brings a special passion and mastery to the classroom and the learning community.

Ice is an active scholar in communication, with numerous publications, professional papers and presentations to his credit. His challenge to students to engage with the subject and with each other is echoed in other students’ descriptions of his teaching.  Ice’s immersion and enthusiasm in the CSB/SJU International Study Program—particularly in the China program—has provided an opportunity for a special relationship between him and his students. 

Linda Mealey Teacher-Scholar Award – Charles Rodell, professor of biology
The CSB/SJU 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/SJU community, this award is now named in honor of Mealey, who received the award three years ago.

Rodell has been a fine teacher at CSB/SJU and actively engaged in research in genetics for more than 25 years.  Rodell’s students are engaged in the classroom through his enthusiasm, knowledge and preparation in the subject, and seek him out for future classes and as an advisor.  Throughout his career, he has had publications in high quality peer-reviewed journals, and has an impressive list of papers delivered at scientific meetings, including 10 separate presentations for the Society for the Study of Evolution.

Since 2000, Rodell has directed 16 undergraduate students doing biology research projects; this is in addition to several students Rodell has co-mentored in collaboration with faculty in the mathematics department in mathematics/biology research.  Rodell also mentors students in research by serving as the biology department seminar coordinator over the past five years.  In this role, he uses his networking with other scientists to provide opportunities for CSB/SJU students to hear scientists discuss their research experiences. 

Additional awards were distributed as follows:

Advising awards: Jason Kelly, cross divisional, academic advising; Kaarin Johnston, fine arts, professor of theater; Jeanmarie Cook, humanities, associate professor of communication; Anna McKenna, natural science, associate professor of chemistry; Kay Wolsborn, social science, professor of political science.

Tenure and promotion to associate professor: Brian Campbell, music; Bruce Campbell, modern and classical languages; Martin Connell, theology; Louis Johnston, economics; David Mitchell, biology; Ronald Pagnucco, peace studies; Corey Shouse Tourino, modern and classical languages.

Tenure: Arthur Spring, associate professor of education; Linda Tennison, associate professor of psychology.

Promotion to professor: J. Scott Johnson, political science; Camilla Krone, modern and classical languages; Vincent Smiles, theology; Elizabeth Wurdak, biology.

Appointment of Regents professor of poetry: Eva Hooker, CSC

Appointment of professor emerita: Telan Hu, OSB, Chinese; Dennis Frandrup, OSB, art.

Appointment of professor emeritus: the late Melchior Freund, OSB, astronomy and mathematics; Thorpe Running, Regents professor of Spanish; Luke Steiner, OSB, theology; Wilfred Theisen, OSB; physics; Robert Weber, political science.

Outgoing department chairs: Andrea Shaker, professor of art; Jane Kathman, professor of management; Amy Olson, professor of nutrition; Jim O’Meara, professor of accounting.

Service as acting department chair: Mara Faulkner, OSB, associate professor of English; Ronald Henry, professor of biology; Sheila Nelson, associate professor of sociology; Kay Wolsborn, professor of political science.

Service as joint faculty assembly chair: Phil Kronebusch, associate professor of political science.

10 years of service: Dennis Beach, OSB, associate professor of philosophy; Cynthia Curran, associate professor of history; Christopher Freeman, associate professor of English; Michael Patella, OSB, associate professor of theology; James Schnepf, associate professor of computer science; Andrea Shaker, professor of art; Gladys White, associate professor of modern and classical languages.

15 years of service: Joseph Des Jardins, professor of philosophy; David Hartz, associate professor of mathematics; Ellen Jensen, assistant professor of biology; Jeanne Lust, OSB, associate professor of biology; Cynthia Malone, professor of English; Lynn Moore, professor of education; Mary Reuter, OSB, associate professor of theology; Lynn Ziegler, associate professor of computer science. 

20 years of service: Virginia Arthur, associate professor of management; Philip Byrne, professor of mathematics; Eugene Garver, Regents professor of philosophy; Kaarin Johnston, professor of theater; Michael Livingston, associate professor of psychology; John Olson, associate professor of economics; Gregory Walker, professor of music; Diane Veale-Jones, professor of nutrition.

25 years of service: Annette Atkins, professor of history; Ernest Diedrich, professor of economics; David Huber, assistant professor of chemistry; Jane Kathman, professor of management; Michael Ross, associate professor of chemistry.

30 years of service: Richard Albares, associate professor of sociology; Bruce Dickau, associate professor of education; Nathaniel Dubin, professor of modern and classical languages; Paul Pladson, professor of accounting; Carleen Schomer, OSB, associate professor of chemistry.

35 years of service: Martin Andrews, associate professor of psychology; Telan Hu, OSB, professor emerita of Chinese;

40 years of service: Donald Hoodecheck, associate professor of education.

45 years of service: Wilfred Theisen, OSB, professor emeritus of physics.

45+ years of service: JP Earls, OSB, associate professor of English; Luke Steiner, OSB, professor emeritus of theology; Hilary Thimmesh, OSB, professor of English.

Retiring: Telan Hu, OSB, professor emerita of Chinese; Dennis Frandrup, OSB, professor emerita of art; Thorpe Running, Regents professor emeritus of Spanish; Luke Steiner, OSB, professor emeritus of theology; Wilfred Theisen, OSB; professor emeritus of physics; Robert Weber, professor emeritus of political science.