Faculty Awarded for Teaching, Scholarship and Service Excellence

May 30, 2017

Ten University of Scranton faculty members were honored recently with Provost Faculty Enhancement awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship or service. The Provost’s office and Provost Advisory Group selected the recipients from a pool of candidates nominated by academic deans and department chairs.

Rebecca S. Beal, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Adapting Classic Principles of Jesuit Pedagogy into the Curriculum: The Magis Award. This award is given to a faculty member who makes specific, sustained and creative efforts to adapt classic principles of Jesuit Pedagogy in courses. Dr. Beal, professor of English and theatre, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1983. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Westmont College, her master’s degree at the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. at the University of Texas.

Michael Jenkins, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Scholarly Publication Award, presented to faculty members who have attained distinction in scholarship or creative activity. Dr. Jenkins, associate professor of sociology, criminal justice, and criminology, received his bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton and his master’s degree and doctorate from Rutgers University. He joined Scranton’s faculty as an assistant professor in 2013.

Cyrus P. Olsen, III, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award, which honors faculty members who cross boundaries between disciplines and departments to create innovative pedagogies that enhance students’ learning and prepare them for real-world challenges. Dr. Olsen, associate professor of theology and religious studies, received his bachelor’s degree from University of Washington and both his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oxford. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2006.

Maria J. Oreshkina, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Integrating Diversity in Learning Award, presented to faculty members who merge international issues and perspectives into the curriculum. Dr. Oreshkina, associate professor of education, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2007. She received her master’s degree from the Moscow State Pedagogical University and her doctorate at The University of Tennessee.

Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., received the Excellence In Advancing Global Learning Award, presented to faculty members who integrate international issues and perspectives into the curriculum.  Dr. Pang-White, professor of philosophy and director of Asian studies, joined the faculty at the University in 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Tung-Hai University in Taiwan, her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina – Columbia and her doctorate from Marquette University.

Kimberly A. Subasic, Ph.D., received the Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, presented to faculty members who enhance student learning. Dr. Subasic, associate professor of nursing, has been a University faculty member since 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Francis University, her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and her doctorate from Saint Louis University.

Stephen E. Whittaker, Ph.D., received the Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award, which recognizes faculty members who have contributed service to the University community, particularly those who demonstrate academic leadership by effectively mentoring their junior colleagues. Dr. Whittaker, professor of English and theatre, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas.

Patricia Moyle Wright, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award. This award honors a faculty member whose special efforts ensure that students have a keen understanding and appreciation of the realities of the world, including pressing justice issues in a local, national and global context. Dr. Wright, associate professor of nursing, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2007. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Misericordia University and her doctorate from Loyola University, Chicago.

Margarete Lieb Zalon, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Faculty Senate Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates dedication to teaching graduate students in a manner that creates an encouraging and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes critical thinking and learning. A member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988, Dr. Zalon, professor of nursing, earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from New York University.

In addition, Emily Denison, adjunct professor in the English and Theatre Department, was honored with the Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

05-30-17

Faculty members attending the Provost Faculty Enhancement Award ceremony are pictured with University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

From left: Emily Denison, adjunct professor in the English and Theatre Department, and University  President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

From left: Cyrus P. Olsen, III, Ph.D., , associate professor of theology and religious studies, and University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

From left: Maria J. Oreshkina, Ph.D., associate professor of education, and University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

From left: Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and director of Asian studies, and University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

From left: University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., and Stephen E. Whittaker, Ph.D., professor of English and theatre.

From left: Margarete Lieb Zalon, Ph.D., professor of nursing, and University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J.

Back to Top