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.

2015-2016 Recipient:

• Tamra Llewellyn, Assistant Professor of Health and Human Performance

2014-2015 Recipient:

• Angela McKinney, Professor of Biology

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

2015-2016 Recipient:

• Sandra Mathews, Professor of History

2014-2015 Recipient:

• Catherine Nelson, Associate Professor of Spanish

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.

2015-2016 Recipient:

• Lisa Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Philosophy

2014-2015 Recipient:

• Sandra Mathews, Professor of History

Ameritas Faculty Fellowships

Selection criteria for the Ameritas Fellowships focus on the potential professional benefit to the individual and to the University. The intent is to assist faculty members in completing projects related to teaching strategies, individual research, curricular initiatives, and professional growth, while honoring members of the faculty for their contributions to academic excellence.

2016-2017 Recipients:

• Karla Jensen, Professor of Communication Studies
• Lisa Lockman, Professor of Art
• Robert Oberst, Professor of Political Science
• Lisa Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Philosophy

2015-2016 Recipients:

• Rita Ricaurte, Professor of Spanish
• Susan Wortmann, Associate Professor of Sociology

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.

2015-2016 Recipient:

• Susan Wortmann, Associate Professor of Sociology

2014-2015 Recipient:

• John Spilker, Assistant Professor of Music

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.

2016-2017 Recipient:

• Lisa Wilkinson, Associate Professor of Philosophy

2015-2016 Recipient:

• Jerry Bricker, Associate Professor of Biology