Faculty Celebrated at Annual Scholars Reception

Claeys Lounge was filled to the brim with the collective brain power of Saint Mary’s faculty who were being celebrated for their outstanding work. In addition to the Annual Faculty Awards, tables lined the perimeter of the room displaying the diverse scholarly work of faculty who recently returned from sabbatical.

New this year was the Academic Growth and Innovation Fund (AGIF) grant. Introduced as a pilot initiative by Margaret Kasimatis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, the initiative was established to grow revenue in new ways that support and enhance the Mission of the College. The goal of the AGIF is to encourage and support innovative academic ideas that will positively impact revenue within the next three years. Full-time faculty and staff were invited to submit proposals, with most being submitted as a collaborative effort between colleagues. Thirty-four proposals were submitted and 10 were funded with AGIF grants.

Sponsored by Academic Affairs, in collaboration with the Office of Research, the Committee on Teaching and Scholarship, and the Faculty Development Fund Committee, the event was also attended by families, friends, and colleagues who were present the cheer on the winners.

Congratulations to the faculty winners for their outstanding work and scholarly contributions.

The award winners are listed below by award category.

Academic Growth and Innovation Fund

• Certificate in Intercultural/Interfaith Leadership; Barbara McGraw, Makiko Imamura, Marguerite Welch, and Aaron Sachowitz
• Certificate in Sustainability; Manisha Anantharaman, Nekesha Williams, Ann Drevno, and Alice Baldridge
• Corporate Women's Leadership; Maura Wolf, Doug Paxton, Shaunna Whidden, and Ken Otter
• Creative Digital Arts for Performing Arts; Julie Ford and Kelly Burdge
• Fine Arts Open Learning Community; Sara Mumolo and Roberta Chávez
• From recruitment to retention: A comprehensive teacher preparation program to create outstanding teacher leaders; Peter Alter, Heidimarie Rambo and Ani Moughamian, in consultation with Tamara Spencer and S. Marshall Perry
• Liberal Education for Arts Professionals (LEAP) Online Expansion; Stephanie Miller and Shaunna Vella
• Online MBA for International Students; Linda Herkenhoff, Kevin McGary, Yung Jae Lee, Wenting Pan, Kim Clark, Letty Quizon and Navin Veerapa
• Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Leadership and Leadership Development Program; Ken Otter, Doug Paxton, Kristen Del Simone
• Redesigning the Composition Program to Bolster Student Success; Meghan Sweeney

Annual Faculty Awards

• Maria Ruiz - Faculty Service
• Michael J. Viola - Early Career
• Gloria Sosa - Inclusive Excellence
• Molly Metherd - Teaching Excellence
• E. Elena Songster - Outstanding Scholar
• Julie Ford – Innovative Pedagogy Award

Provost Research Grant 2019-2020

• Ellen Veomett
• Rebecca Engle
• Joseph Drexler-Dreis
• Meghan Sweeney
• Karen Ruff
• Sunayani Bhattacharya
• Mary Raygonza
• Ellen Rigsby/Barbara McGraw
• Tammy Spencer