New Awards Celebrate Excellence in Teaching

Mary Clay Thomas, Associate Professor of Social Work and Director of the Social Work Program

The committee members described Thomas as “inspirational” and praised her work within the MBU and broader communities, building and strengthening partnerships. Her thoughtful personal statement ably displays how she regularly adapts her courses to encourage the professional and personal growth of her students.

Claire Wittman, graduate assistant in the Shakespeare and Performance graduate program

A student writes of Wittman that she is “one of the most creative and flexible professors I’ve ever had.” One example of this creativity occurred in an ENG 102 class, where she engaged even the most reluctant students in a short play-writing exercise. Her personal statement demonstrates a desire to help students learn in ways that are most meaningful to them.

Clayton Brooks, assistant professor of history

A student writes of Brooks that “getting her comments back on my essays and papers lifted me up as if I had won the lotto! I developed a passion for writing, a love for history, and even managed to maneuver my way through modern-day technology a little better … all because of her personal attention and dedication to my success.” The committee noted her clear online course structure, her extensive student feedback, and her thoughtful methods of delivering online content to meet different learning style preferences.

Kate Franzen, assistant professor of history

A word frequency search of Franzen’s course evaluations would undoubtedly highlight “engaging” and “loved.” Creative methods include the use of stories drawn from her own experiences to help students understand the “why” of history. She articulates clearly how she adapts her courses — both on campus and online — to the needs of her students.

Amy Tillerson-Brown, professor of history

For her sabbatical in fall 2019 and May Term 2020, Tillerson-Brown is working on completing a manuscript on the role of African-American women in Prince Edward County during the closing of the public schools. Her work highlights their activist leadership, despite racism and sexism, through churches in their community in the era of “massive resistance.”