Tuesday, August 15, 2000

WILMINGTON, NC -- The University of North Carolina at Wilmington recognized 13 professors for teaching excellence during its fall faculty meeting at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Kenan Auditorium. The meeting followed the university's annual convocation ceremony which celebrated the start of a new academic year.

Receiving Distinguished Teaching Professorships, UNCW's highest award for teaching excellence, were Dr. Paula K. Kamenish, associate professor in the Department of English; Dr. Stephen J. McNamee, professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice; and Dr. Kevin J. Sigler, professor in the Department of Economics and Finance. The distinguished professorships recognize faculty who make outstanding contributions to teaching at UNCW and come with a three-year $5,000 stipend and Distinguished Teaching medallion. Nominations were solicited from each department or school, and all full-time tenured professors were eligible.

In addition to her Distinguished Teaching Professorship, Dr. Kamenish received the UNCW Board of Trustees' Teaching Excellence Award in recognition of her significant contributions to higher education through dedication and service to students. First presented in 1978, the award is designed to exemplify the university's commitment to teaching excellence with the recipient receiving a one-time stipend of $1,500 and a Distinguished Teaching medallion.

Five individuals were presented the Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Ferenc Altrichter, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion; Dr. Julian Keith, associate professor in the Department of Psychology; Dr. Lynn Leonard, associate professor in the Department of Earth Sciences; Dr. Mahnaz Moallem, associate professor in the Department of Specialty Studies; and Dr. Joanne Rockness, professor in the Department of Accountancy and Business Law. The award, established in 1991, recognizes faculty who demonstrate outstanding teaching in the classroom. Each recipient received a $750 award and a Distinguished Teaching medallion.

Awards for Faculty Scholarship were given to Dr. Randall Hanson, professor in the Department of Accountancy and Business Law; Dr. Carol Pilgrim, professor in the Department of Psychology; and Dr. Martin Posey, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. The awards, which are given to up to three members of the faculty, recognize significant contributions to the university and the academic community through commitment to scholarship, research and creativity. Current full-time UNCW faculty are nominated for this award by their peers and receive a $1,500 award.

Philip Gerard, professor of creative writing, and Dr. Robert D. Roer, professor of biology, were the inaugural recipients of the Graduate Mentor Award established by the university's Graduate School. The award recognizes graduate faculty who have excelled at teaching at the graduate level and who have an established record of mentoring students who have received master's degrees. Each recipient received a $250 award and a certificate.

The Graduate School also announced the recipients of the Graduate Teaching Excellence Awards: Derek Nikitas and Eric Vrooman, Department of Creative Writing; Gina Panasik, Department of Biological Sciences; Mark Reinhold, Department of Earth Sciences; Edith Skipper, Department of Curricular Studies; and Kristin Smith, Department of English. Recipients have demonstrated exceptional competence in teaching and mentoring undergraduate students.