By: Skip Traynor
Media Relations Editor
Dr. John Gibson, professor of physics, and Dr. Derick "Sandy" Hulme, associate professor of political science, were named recipients of the 2004 Alma College Barlow Award for Faculty Excellence during Commencement exercises April 17.
Established in 1982 by Dr. Joel Barlow, a 1929 honors graduate of Alma College, the award and cash honoraria recognize two faculty members every year who have contributed the most by their work and example, often at personal sacrifice, to furthering the educational mission of the College. Recipients shall have excelled in teaching, in scholarly, creative or performing work, and in community service. A committee of former Barlow winners and students selects three to four candidates from nominations submitted by faculty, students and staff for the president's final two choices. No professor may receive the recognition more than once in a five-year period. It is the first Barlow for Gibson and the second for Hulme, a recipient in 1996.
Gibson has taught at Alma since 1968. His dedication to teaching and creative demonstrations of physics lessons are legendary. With a reputation for demanding and rigorous classes, students learn quickly to take responsibility for keeping abreast of coursework. He has been known to provide homemade baked goods, coffee and juice to students in his earliest morning classes to fuel learning. While he has reached retirement age, his love of physics and teaching have kept him in the classroom.
An Alma faculty member since 1992, Hulme has been advisor for the College's Model UN team that has received a top award at the world's largest and most prestigious collegiate Model UN conference nine of the last 10 years and eight consecutive years, helping to create a global awareness on campus that strengthens the Alma educational experience. Hulme works tirelessly to guide students' academic direction and progress. A member of the College's Nationally Competitive Scholarship Committee, he has helped identify and advise qualified students who have won some of the most prestigious scholarships in the academic world.
Gibson earned a B.S.E. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Hulme earned a B.A. from St. Lawrence University, and a M.A.L.D. and Ph.D. are from Tufts University.
