EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
ECU honors its outstanding educators
More than 21 faculty members at East Carolina University have been recognized for teaching excellence by the university and the UNC Board of Governors.
“Great teaching is always at the center of a great university,” said Dr. Ron Mitchelson, ECU interim chancellor. “ECU is blessed to have a world-class faculty who are devoted to our students and their success. It is enormously important that we recognize outstanding teaching across the faculty of our colleges and schools.
“Although we were unable to gather in person with our outstanding nominees and award winners for our annual University Teaching Awards reception and recognition due to COVID-19, please know that your contributions and excellence in teaching are remarkable and well deserved.”
Ten faculty members were recognized with Scholar-Teacher Awards for engaging students in research, incorporating research in their teaching and demonstrating the synergy between scholarship and teaching. The following were selected from their college or school:
- Dr. Elizabeth Ables, Department of Biology
- Jill Matarelli Carlson, School of Theatre and Dance
- Dr. Michelle Eble, Department of English
- Dr. Randall Etheridge, Department of Engineering
- Dr. Ian Hines, Department of Nutrition Science
- Dr. Lee Ann Johnson, Department of Nursing Science
- Dr. Javier Lorenzo, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
- Dr. Tim Madden, Department of Management
- Dr. Matt Militello, Department of Educational Leadership
- Dr. Michael Stellefson, Department of Health Education and Promotion
Randall Etheridge
Javier Lorenzo
Tim Madden
Michael Stellefson
The East Carolina Alumni Association honored Dr. Sheresa Blanchard of the Department of Human Development and Family Science, and Dr. Joy Karriker of the Department of Management with Outstanding Teaching Awards.
The alumni association also recognized Dawn Shelton of the Department of Elementary Education and Middle Grades Education with the Robert L. Jones Award, and Dr. Brent Henze of the Department of English with the Max Ray Joyner Award for Outstanding Teaching in Distance Education.
“Dr. Henze has made the often-alienating experience of distance education feel local by getting to know me (and all his students) personally, as individuals, and tailored his methodologies to help his students become the best version of themselves,” said one of Henze’s students.
Students lauded Shelton for going above and beyond the curriculum by providing real-life experiences and connections, and for making a personal connection and supporting every student in the room.
Sheresa Blanchard
Eboni J. Baugh
Andrew L. Sargent
Beth E. Thompson
Each year the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) recognizes outstanding faculty members throughout the UNC System. This year’s Distinguished Professor for Teaching Awards included:
- Eboni J. Baugh, Department of Human Development and Family Science
- Amanda L. Klein, Department of English
- Hugh McLean Lee, Department of Bioethics & Interdisciplinary Studies
- Andrew L. Sargent, Department of Chemistry
- Raychl E. Smith, School of Music
- Beth E. Thompson, Department of Biology
The BOG also recognized Dr. William E. Allen of the Department of Chemistry with its Award for Excellence in Teaching.
“These awards recognize the expertise, effort and ingenuity of our incredible faculty,” said Dr. Grant Hayes, ECU acting provost. “These educators embody ECU’s mission to be a national model for student success, and we are proud to honor their contributions and the positive impact they have on the lives and futures of our ECU Pirates.”