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Ten faculty finalists were chosen from a group of more than 250 nominations for this year’s 48th Annual 51���� Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award. The three recipients of the award will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a crystal apple. They also will be honored at the University Teaching Council Conference luncheon on Friday, Oct. 23.

Each year, the 51���� Alumni Association recognizes 51����’s outstanding faculty members by awarding three nominated educators with the Distinguished Teaching Award. The Distinguished Teaching Award is the most prestigious award that 51���� accords to full-time, tenure-track faculty members.

In order to be nominated, faculty members must have been employed at the university for at least seven years and be in a tenure-track position.

“With so many deserving nominees, it is truly an honor to be selected as an award finalist,” says Lori Randorf, assistant vice president of the 51���� Alumni Association. “Faculty members represent 51���� to so many of our students, and the impact they have on the 51���� experience is remembered long after graduation. The effort put forth in the classroom by these finalists is a wonderful example of faculty commitment to student success.”

Among the nominees are Maureen Blankemeyer, School of Life Span Development and Educational Sciences, Kent Campus; Natalie Caine-Bish, School of Health Sciences, Kent Campus; Kelly Cichy, School of Life Span Development and Educational Sciences, Kent Campus; Douglas Goldsmith, School of Visual Communication Design, Kent Campus; Mark Kershner, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent Campus; Jan Leach, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent Campus; Jennifer Maxwell, Department of Political Science, Kent Campus; Christopher Ransom, School of Visual Communication Design, Kent Campus; Gregory Stroh, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent Campus and David Hacker, Department of Geology, 51���� at Trumbull and Kent Campus.

Student nominators acknowledge David Hacker for his ability to extend learning beyond the classroom. He inspires students through hands-on learning, as well as provides a positive and welcoming classroom environment.

“Dr. Hacker truly motivated me to learn about the subject matter in all his classes I had the pleasure of taking with him,” writes a student nominator. “Through effective communication, Dr. Hacker conveyed concepts very clearly. He enjoys his work and is trustworthy when seeking advice.”

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