Four Marquette faculty members were honored with the university’s highest teaching honor, Teaching Excellence Awards, and one faculty member received the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 61st Annual Père Marquette Dinner, which took place Thursday, May 2, in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom.
The event was emceed by Dr. Timothy McMahon, associate professor of history – not Tim McMahon, vice president for University Advancement – although during the traditional roast portion of the evening, Dr. McMahon did confess to receiving the “other Tim McMahon’s” emails on several occasions.
In recognition of their demonstrated ability to inspire students to grow in knowledge and scholarship for the glory of God and the good of others, the 2019 Teaching Excellence Award winners are: Dr. Sharon Chubbuck, associate professor of education; Michael Danduran, clinical associate professor of exercise science; Dr. Peter Staudenmaier, associate professor of history; and Mark Zoromski, director of student media and participating adjunct professor of communication.
Marquette’s Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award was established to recognize one faculty member and one staff member who demonstrate exemplary leadership and has shown an ability to put the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion into practical action. The Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award faculty winner is Dr. Kristin Haglund, professor of nursing.
Dr. Kristin Haglund, professor of nursing
Dr. Kristin Haglund’s list of accomplishments includes a Fulbright Scholarship, $150,000 in community grants to serve vulnerable populations, 16 different courses taught at Marquette, and a tireless dedication to serving as an advocate, ally, teacher, scholar, leader and champion of inclusive environments.
She said she is inspired every day by her colleagues, and that she strives to build a connection with everyone she meets, because “in these authentic moments of connection, the face of God is revealed.”
“I tell everyone that being a nurse is the best thing anyone could be,” Dr. Haglund concluded. “Being a Marquette Nurse is the icing on the cake.”
Dr. Sharon Chubbuck, associate professor of education
Described as a “teacher’s teacher,” Dr. Sharon Chubbuck followed in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps when she became a high school teacher, saying she felt called to serve in that vocation.
Dr. Chubbuck joined the Marquette faculty 18 years ago, and said she feels lucky to get paid to do something she loves. Her students describe her as empathetic, inspiring and transformational, but Dr. Chubbuck insists “It is my students who have been the ones who pushed me to be a better teacher and a better person.”
Michael Danduran, clinical associate professor of exercise science
Having once gone viral for doing a backflip in class that was caught on video by a student, Michael Danduran said he never envisioned pursuing teaching, but always knew he felt energized when he was questioning and searching for answers.
“My teaching style has been influenced by the patients and families I meet at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, by my College of Health Sciences family, and by my own family,” he said. “I’ve found that to really connect and build trust with my students, sometimes you have to put aside the slides and just ask students how they’re doing today.”
Mark Zoromski, director of student media and participating adjunct professor of communication
As the director of student media in the Diederich College of Communication, Mark Zoromski’s classroom is not a traditional classroom, but rather the second floor of Johnston Hall, where the print, radio and television aspects of student media come to life. After thanking many members of student media by name for their various contributions, Zoromoski said, “To my students – this is your award. I’m just accepting it for you.”
“If you love your job, you never have to go to work,” he concluded, “and I never have to go to work.”
Dr. Peter Staudenmaier, associate professor of history
Dr. Peter Staudenmaier was described by his students as having a passion for both the subject matter he teaches and for his students. “Teaching is the most demanding and most inspiring part of what I do,” he said, adding that he is grateful to everyone at the university who has a hand in the student experience, and to all of the students he taught over the years who constantly challenged him to be better.
“If it’s alright with all of you,” Staudenmaier said, “I’m going to accept this award on behalf of every single person at Marquette, because we all have a hand in teaching our students.”
Additional faculty were recognized for receiving distinguished scholarship awards.
Scott Reid, professor of chemistry, received the Haggerty Research Award.
Andrei Orlov, professor of theology, and Stefan Schnitzer, Mellon Distinguished Professor in biological sciences, received the Way Klingler Fellowship Award.
The Way Klingler Young Scholar award winners are Melissa Gibson, assistant professor in the College of Education; Shion Guha, assistant professor and director of the Data Science Graduate Program; Brooke Magnus, assistant professor of psychology; Henry Medeiros, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering; and Philip Rocco, assistant professor of political science.
Dr. John Mantsch, Dr. Joseph Byonanebye, Dr. Nilanjan Lodh and Joshua Knox of the College of Health Sciences received Way Klingler Teaching Enhancement Award.
Dr. Amber Wichowsky, associate professor of political science, received the Way Klingler Sabbatical Award.
In his remarks following the awards presentation, President Michael R. Lovell said, “It’s the people at Marquette that make this a special place.”
He reflected that the word he kept thinking of while listening to the awardees speak was ‘excellence.’ “Our faculty define what excellence is on a daily basis.”
As the academic year winds down, President Lovell has been meeting with many senior students who have questions about what their next steps should be or what the path forward looks like. No matter who the student is, one thing is always common, he said.
“Every single student has a story about a faculty member who inspired them, who transformed their education, who helped them find their path. I hope all of you realize the role you play in the future of our students, the future of Milwaukee and the future of our society.”
A PDF of the 2019 Excellence booklet is available online. A limited number of physical copies are also available. Contact Stacy Tuchel, stacy.tuchel@marquette.edu, in OMC to request a copy via campus mail.