The Faculty
Approximately 90 percent of the regular full-time faculty hold doctoral degrees or the highest degree in their field, graduating from 57 different graduate schools across the United States and abroad. Although they are described as a teaching faculty, they actively conduct research to keep abreast of developments in their fields and participate in a wide variety of professional development activities. By becoming recognized authors, performers, and presenters, they enhance their roles as teachers and advisors.
Faculty members at Nebraska Wesleyan are recognized for their pursuit of excellence and for their achievement through the following awards and fellowships:
The Margaret J. Prouty Faculty Teaching Award
The purpose of the Dr. Margaret J. Prouty Faculty Teaching Award, which was awarded for the first time in the spring of 1995, is to recognize and reward faculty for excellence in teaching. The recipients is deemed to have made a distinct difference in the intellectual lives of students through effective and creative instruction and/or course development.
2022-2023 Recipient:
- Karla Jensen, Communication Studies
2021-2022 Recipient:
- Austin Mohr, Mathematics and Computer Science
2020-2021 Recipient:
- Molly Fitzke, Nursing
2019-2020 Recipient:
- Kelly Bauer, Political Science
2018-2019 Recipient:
- Kelly Clancy, Political Science
Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
The Faculty Advisor of the Year Award, was created in the spring of 2015 by Student Affairs Senate, to recognize and reward faculty for the pursuit of excellence in advising. The recipient is deemed to have made a distinct impact on a student’s learning and overall development
2022-2023 Recipient:
- Samantha Wilson, Health and Human Performance
2021-2022 Recipient:
- Joan Gilbreth, Sociology and Anthropology
2020-2021 Recipient:
- Nathaniel Smith, Political Science
2019-2020 Recipient:
- Rita Lester, Philosophy and Religion
2018-2019 Recipient:
- Melissa Erdmann, Mathematics
Faculty Scholar Award
Established by the Faculty Development Committee in the spring of 2012 to recognize a faculty member who has distinguished herself or himself through research, scholarly work, and/or creative projects.
2022-2023 Recipient:
- Rita Lester, Philosophy and Religion
2021-2022 Recipient:
- Sue Wortmann, Sociology and Anthropology
2020-2021 Recipient:
- Jonathan Redding, Philosophy and Religion
2019-2020 Recipient:
- Kelly Bauer, Political Science
2018-2019 Recipient:
- Amy Spears, Assistant Professor of Music
The United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award
The Exemplary Teacher Award, sponsored by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, is presented to a faculty member teaching at a United Methodist-related institution of higher education who demonstrates excellence in teaching, civility and concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value-centered education, service to students, the institution, the community, or church.
2022-2023 Recipient:
- Mary Hickman, English
2021-2022 Recipient:
- Jana Holzmeier, Music
2020-2021 Recipient:
- Kara Cavel, Social Work
2019-2020 Recipient:
- Scott Stanfield, English
2018-2019 Recipient:
- Dave Whitt, Communication Studies
The Kenneth R. Holder Fellowship for Instructional Improvement
The Kenneth R. Holder Fellowship for Instructional Improvement is an annual grant designed to encourage individual instructional innovation and teaching excellence. The fellowship honors Dr. Kenneth R. Holder who, as Provost of Nebraska Wesleyan University (1987-1991), stimulated and supported faculty efforts for improving classroom instruction and enriching the educational experience of all Nebraska Wesleyan students.
2022-2023 Recipient:
- Kara Cavel, Social Work
2021-2022 Recipient:
- Amy Spear, Music
2020-2021 Recipient:
- Gerise Herndon, English
2019-2020 Recipient:
- John Spilker, Music
2018-2019 Recipient:
- Sara Jane Miles, Modern Languages