Shorter College professors honored with awards

May 13 - Two Shorter College professors were honored for their dedication to teaching and scholarship during Shorter’s Spring 2009 commencement ceremony.

Lisa M. Keith, chair of the college’s Department of Natural Sciences and assistant professor of biology, was selected as the 2008-2009 Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award recipient. The $1,000 award is given to a junior faculty member who displays strong campus leadership, creative course development, pioneering teaching methodology and instructional support along with model classroom teaching. The professor must also be helpful in advising students and illustrate a willingness to spend individual time with students in order to assist them academically.

Shorter College Provost Dr. Craig Shull presents Lisa M. Keith with the
Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.

Keith, employed with Shorter since 2005, has worked “diligently with students and faculty alike with the heart-felt personal mission of helping students succeed in all areas of life,” said Shorter College Provost Dr. Craig Shull. “She is highly respected as an outstanding teacher, advisor, department chair, committee member and initiator of new programs and procedures that benefit students.”

Dr. Sabrena R. Parton, dean of Shorter’s School of Liberal Arts and associate professor of communication, was presented the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship. The $4,000 award is given to a senior faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and scholarship. Employed at Shorter since 2006, Dr. Parton was a “natural for this award,” said Dr. Shull. “She is known for her organizational skills, her ability to analyze and interpret data, and her leadership in making those changes needed to create quality and innovative programs.”

College Provost Dr. Craig Shull presents Dr. Sabrena R. Parton with the
President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship

During the award presentation, Dr. Shull read this quote from a nomination form submitted by a former student and Shorter graduate: “She inspires students to push themselves further than they thought possible. She opens her door and heart to students, listening to their problems, encouraging them with scripture and prays for them. I firmly believe she is one of the most genuine people I know.”

A committee selected the recipients of these two awards after reviewing nomination forms submitted by students, faculty, staff and alumni.

###