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Mount Mary College Announces Recipients of Teaching Excellence Award
MILWAUKEE (November 11, 2009) – Mount Mary College has presented its 2009 “Excellence in Teaching” awards to two members of the English Department.
Wendy Weaver, Ph.D, assistant professor of English, received the full-time award, and Nan Metzger, adjunct instructor in English, received the part-time award.
Weaver, who joined the Mount Mary faculty in 2006, teaches numerous undergraduate and graduate level courses. She founded and oversees the Annual Literature, Creativity and Social Justice Conference which takes place each fall for area high school students, and directs the College’s Honors Program. She received her B.A. from Pacific Lutheran University, her M.A. from the University of Alaska – Anchorage and her Ph.D. from Marquette University.
Metzger joined Mount Mary two semesters ago after teaching for many years at the high school and college level. She received her B.A. in English Education (summa cum laude) from Dominican University and her M.A. in English Literature from Northern Illinois University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in English from Marquette University.
Winners must demonstrate innovative teaching techniques, current knowledge of developments, trends and research in her academic field, dedication, enthusiasm and support of students’ personal, moral and intellectual growth. This year’s award winners were chosen by a committee comprising of a faculty member, two current students, the past year’s award recipients and Mount Mary’s associate dean for academic affairs.
In the nomination papers for Weaver, students identified her as a teacher who “inspires us to learn.” Others commented on her enthusiasm and warmth that makes going to class a pleasure. Nominating students called Metzger “phenomenal, engaging, energetic, and knowledgeable.” They further noted the knowledge, preparation, and humor she always brings to class.
“The Excellence in Teaching award recognizes faculty members who consistently challenge themselves and their students,” said Dr. Eileen Schwalbach, President of Mount Mary College. “At a time when the quality of American education is under intense scrutiny, we were delighted to hear our students praise both of our honorees for their keen focus on excellence and their ability to engage and empower them to reach beyond their goals.”
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Mount Mary College, founded in 1913 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, was Wisconsin’s first four-year, degree-granting Catholic college for women. Located on an 80-acre campus in Milwaukee, the College offers more than 60 undergraduate areas of study for women and seven graduate programs for women and men. Mount Mary also emphasizes study abroad, service learning, and social justice initiatives. Its more than 1,900 students enjoy small class sizes (average 14) and 90 percent of full-time students receive financial aid or scholarships. Through classroom instruction and community service, Mount Mary develops women to be leaders in their professions and their communities, serving as role models to inspire achievement in others. Visit Mount Mary at www.mtmary.edu.
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