Political Science Professor Receives Alpha Sigma Nu Teaching Award

May 10, 2010
The University of Scranton’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, presented the 2010 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year Award to Political Science Professor William Parente, Ph.D. From left are Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, Dr. Parente and Timothy Smilnak, biology major, member of the University’s Honors Program and Alpha Sigma Nu treasurer.
The University of Scranton’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, presented the 2010 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year Award to Political Science Professor William Parente, Ph.D. From left are Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., president of The University of Scranton, Dr. Parente and Timothy Smilnak, biology major, member of the University’s Honors Program and Alpha Sigma Nu treasurer.

      William Joseph Parente, Ph.D., professor of political science at The University of Scranton, has been presented the 2010 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year Award (formerly the Edward Gannon, S.J., Award for Teaching). It is the oldest teaching award at the Jesuit university, and one of just three teaching awards presented at Scranton each year.

      The annual award, established in 1969 by the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. Dr. Parente was voted by Scranton’s Alpha Sigma Nu honor society as this year’s recipient. Prior to this year’s award, Dr. Parente was elected as Teacher of the Year by the university’s graduating class of 2006. 

      Dr. Parente began at The University of Scranton in 1970 as dean of the College of Arts and Science. He served as dean until 1985. He has also taught in the Political Science Department at Scranton since 1973. He has taught courses in modern China, Japan and Africa, American government, Eastern European politics and the Politics of Islam, a course he has taught for the past 20 years.

      An expert in U.S. foreign policy, Dr. Parente has been awarded four senior Fulbright Fellowships during his distinguished career; three from the American government to Korea, Indonesia and Thailand; and one from the Federal Republic of Germany. He has also received eight National Endowment for the Humanities awards.

      Dr. Parente has served as Fulbright advisor at The University of Scranton and on the national Fulbright selection and advisory committees.

      Born in Chicago, Ill., Dr. Parente earned his bachelor’s degree in classics and political science from Xavier University. He earned his doctorate in government from Georgetown University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow.

      The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at The University of Scranton. Juniors and seniors who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership. 

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