Faculty Receive Recognition at Honors Day
Alma College seniors recognized Murray Borrello, Ron Lemmon and
Bishop Thomas Makarios with Outstanding Faculty Awards at the annual
Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 3.
In addition, Mark Oemke was named Outstanding Junior Faculty.
The Outstanding Faculty Awards are chosen by a vote of the senior class
members, with one recognition in each of the College’s academic
divisions. The Outstanding Junior Faculty Award is chosen by the
president with the advice of the faculty personnel committee and the
provost.
President Tracy congratulates Ron Lemmon (left) and Mark Oemke (right), recipients of faculty awards. Murray Borrello was not present. The late Bishop Thomas Makarios also was honored.
Borrello, geology instructor, was the recipient for the natural sciences division. He was recognized for his humor and his involvement and devotion to community service.
“His activity both on and off Alma’s campus is to be admired,” said senior class president Terra Teague. “He has provided technical expertise to the local community in developing research and policy regarding the Velsicol sites, while also helping form the Pine River Superfund Citizens Task Force. He has taught his students the power held in giving back and the importance of laughter in our daily lives.”
Lemmon, assistant professor of business administration, was the recipient for the social sciences division. He was recognized for his work as co-developer of the Center for Responsible Leadership, Posey Global committee member, creator of the entrepreneurship major and faculty advisor for Students in Free Enterprise and Highland Java Cafe.
“He exemplifies the spirit, passion and enthusiasm of education,” said
Teague. “Throughout the past four years, he has been one of the most
influential people in my life and so many others.”
Bishop Makarios, professor of religious studies, was the recipient for
the humanities division. He was recognized for his impact on students.
“He inspired us with his incredible stories as an amazing teacher,”
said Teague. “Yet, throughout the past 25 years, this man fulfilled
more than his role as a professor at Alma College. He was a friend, a
mentor, and a hero to all those that had the honor of knowing him.
Sadly, he passed away in February, yet he will always be remembered in
the hearts of his Alma family.”
Oemke, assistant professor of biology, was recognized for his ability
to teach both upper-level majors and non-majors in introductory courses
with equal success.
“His colleagues admire his ability to blend disciplinary expertise with
lessons learned in the field, clarifying complex points with examples
taken from real life,” said Provost Michael Selmon. “Students cite his
patience and accessibility out of the classroom, and his generous
commitments of time to individual support.
“While he is known for his meticulous planning of lessons, colleagues
report that some of his best teaching has occurred kneeling beside a
tidal pool in the rain, sharing his infectious enthusiasm for the
natural world with students from a dozen different majors,” said Selmon.
Also recognized during the Honors Day Convocation were three retiring faculty members:
• Margarita Krakusin, professor of modern language, was recognized for
her energy and enthusiasm, whether in the classroom, establishing the
College’s partnership with Ecuador, or in mundane tasks. She has taught
789 students over 3,083 hours and 26 terms since 1998.
• James Mueller, associate professor of economics, was recognized for
his dedication to students and his contributions to campus life as
coordinator of the Alma College Speaker Series. He has taught 257
courses to 5,836 students over 80 terms. He has taught at Alma since
1976.
• Larry Wittle, William R. Angell Professor of Biology, was recognized
for his teaching and the role he played in guiding students in their
career direction. Since arriving on the Alma campus in 1970, he has
taught 19,007 hours to 4,979 students over 111 terms.
Posted: Thu, April 3rd, 2008 at 2:44PM
