Saint Mary’s professors do not see themselves as just teachers, but also as advisors and mentors. This year many faculty members were recognized for their contributions to teaching and service at Saint Mary’s. They join the ranks of esteemed faculty members who have been awarded honors for their commitment to our students, and their significant role in the Saint Mary’s community.
Business and Economics professor Claude Renshaw received the Spes Unica Award. The award was established in 1958 and recognizes outstanding teaching and service.
Mathematics professor Mary Porter received the Maria Pieta Award. award was established in 1976 in honor of Sister Maria Pieta, CSC, one of the great women of Saint Mary’s, who was a teacher and an administrator. The award is given annually for excellence in teaching, specifically lower division courses.
Each year Saint Mary’s recognizes faculty who have received grants and awards from organizations outside of the College. In 2008, these standout departments and individuals were recognized for their achievements and awarded grants for future research.
The Department of Biology received a three-year grant to support student and faculty research on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua, during the summers.
Education professor Kitty Green was listed in the “Who’s Who in American Education.”
English professor Frances Hwang received the Sue Kaufmann Prize, awarded by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for her book of short fiction, Transparency.
Modern Languages professor Mana Derakhshani received a grant from the Franc-American Cultural Exchange Tournées Fund for the College’s annual French Film Festival in February.
Nursing professors Trish Keresztes and Mary Wcisel received the Edith Anderson Leadership Education Grant. They were also accepted into the Chiron Leadership Institute through Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
Psychology & Communicative Disorders professor Bettina Spencer received the “Alfred J. Marrow Memorial Award in Psychology” from the New School for Social Research in New York City. This award is given annually to the outstanding dissertation of the year. The title of Spencer’s dissertation is, "The Impact of Classism and Stereotyping on Low-Socioeconomic Status Individuals."
Religious Studies professor Stacy Davis received commendation for her distinguished service to the Society of Biblical Literature.
Social Work professor JoAnn Burke, along with sophomore Laurel Javors, received a grant from the Quest Project for their project, “A Qualitative Study of the Impact of Health Care and Retirement Policies on Catholic Sisters Ages 55-70 in the United States and Canada.”
For more on Faculty Achievements, read about our professors who have received College grants and awards.
