Distinguished Teaching Award
Honoring Teaching Excellence
Teaching excellence has always been Carthage College’s focus, and our faculty is a corps of caring and stimulating teachers. In the 20th century, legendary professors such as Elmer Hanke in music, Merle Chapin in English, Alice Kibbe in biology, Merle Boyer in philosophy, Shandy Holland in theatre, and dozens of others established a tradition of teaching excellence.
In 1967, the Carthage College Board of Trustees voted to recognize formally superior teaching by creating the Distinguished Teaching Award. It established a confidential committee to review nominations from students and select one faculty member for this special commendation.
The Distinguished Teaching Award has become an annual tradition. The award has been presented to individuals from a wide range of disciplines. Many still teach at Carthage, and others have retired with emeritus status, an indication of the College’s ability to retain excellent teachers.
Nominations
The nomination period for the 2023-24 Distinguished Teaching Award is closed. Questions? Write to teaching@carthage.edu.
Past Recipients
2022-23 — Julie Dawson, Accounting and Finance
2021-22 — Laura Huaracha, Communication and Digital Media
2020-21 — Debbie Minsky-Kelly, Social Work
2019-20 — James Lochtefeld, Religion
2018-19 — Kim Instenes, Theatre
2017-18 — E. Edward Kawakami, Music
2016-17 — Paul Martino, Biology
2015-16 — Alyson Kiesel, English
2014-15 — John Isham, Communication and Digital Media, Modern Languages, Western Heritage, Great Ideas
2013-14 — Wayne Thompson, Sociology and Criminal Justice
2012-13 — Maria Carrig, English
2011-12 — Elaine Radwanski, Biology
2010-11 — Gregory Baer, Modern Languages
2009-10 — Christine Blaine, Chemistry
2008-09 — Stephen Udry, History
2007-08 — Robert Maleske, Psychology
2006-07 — Timothy Eckert, Chemistry
2005-06 — Marilyn Ward, Education
2004-05 — Erik Kulke, Modern Languages
2003-04 — Mark Snavely, Mathematics
2002-03 — Jeffrey Roberg, Political Science
2001-02 — Julio Rivera, Geography and Earth Science
2000-01 — Aaron Trautwein, Mathematics
1999-00 — Daniel Miller, Psychology and Neuroscience
1998-99 — David Brunn, Business Administration and Accounting
1997-98 — Sandra Harrington, Biology
1996-97 — Thomas Brawner, Biology
1995-96 — Romwald Maczka, Religion
1994-95 — Erlan Wheeler, Mathematics and Computer Science
1993-94 — David Steege, English
1992-93 — Jon Swift, Exercise and Sport Science
1991-92 — Paul Hansen, Chemistry
1990-91 — Shandy Holland, Speech and Theatre
1989-90 — Richard Miller, Geography and Social Sciences
1988-89 — Ingrid Tiegel, Psychology
1987-88 — Charlotte Chell, Mathematics, Computer Science
1986-87 — Dennis P. Strommen, Chemistry
1985-86 — Edwin C. Kalke, Art
1984-85 — James C. Kennedy, Psychology
1983-84 — Irene J. Kraemer, French
1982-83 — Robert L. Hade, Chemistry
1981-82 — John Windh, Music
1980-81 — Thomas J. Noer, History
1979-80 — Travis T. DuPriest, Jr., English
1978-79 — Carol Huetting, Physical Education
1977-78 — John W. Bailey, History
1976-77 — Dudley V. Riggle, Religion
1975-76 — John A. Neuenschwander, History
1974-75 — David M. Rhoads, Religion
1973-74 — Harold G. Kruger, Religion
1972-73 — Donald M. Michie, English
1971-72 — Evelyn Crump, Biology
1970-71 — Kenneth L. Hamm, Chemistry
1969-70 — Nelson Peter Ross, History
1968-69 — Wayne Johnson, Philosophy
1967-68 — Larry Hamilton, Psychology