Eleven faculty and staff members were honored earlier this month by the university’s Teacher Recognition and Effectiveness Committee (TREC).
“This committee means a lot to me as it is recognition to professors and staff and we spend a lot of time checking all the impressive types of teaching and research,” said Dr. Nelson Anaya Archila, an electrical engineering professor.
Anaya explained that multiple meetings are held before the final winners are chosen. The process, he added, is “very difficult.”
The award ceremony gave faculty and staff the opportunity to share their experiences and give gratitude for the award received. Dr. Ned Fetcher, project coordinator for the institute in environment, was this year’s recipient of the Scholarship Award. This award recognized Fetcher for his research and scholarly activity as an individual and with his students.
“I want to express my gratitude to Wilkes University for giving me an opportunity to restart my career. My position has been unique and the university has helped in that,” said Fetcher.
Dr. Dana Manning, associate professor of pharmacy practice, received the Innovative and Non-Traditional Teaching Award. This award is given to a faculty or staff member who successfully implements innovative and non-traditional techniques as a part of their teaching in one or more classes.
“I just want to share my deep gratitude to all of my colleagues,” Manning said. “The most important thing that keeps me going is the fact that all my colleagues and students are willing to go along with my crazy ideas and take care of themselves as whole people.”
Dr. Jayme Hines, associate professor of early childhood and elementary education, received the Outstanding Advisor Award. This year Hines had 49 advisees and even more students in her classes in undergraduate education.
“I am so thankful for this award. As a teacher of future teachers, I think that advising is one of the ways that I am able to share with my students how important relationship building is,” said Hines.
Each year the TREC Awards ceremony serves as a way to bring together faculty and staff and commemorate their achievements and dedication to the Wilkes community. Nominations for next year’s awards can be made through the Wilkes website, TREC Nomination Submissions.
A full list of this year’s award winners will be included below:
2024 TREC Award Winners
Carpenter Award- Joyce Victor
Innovative and Non-Traditional Teaching- Dana Manning
Lifetime Achievement- Michael Steele
Outstanding Advisor- Jayme Hines
Outstanding New Faculty- Lauren Rossiter
Scholarship Award- Ned Fetcher
Adjunct Faculty- Nancy McKinley
Alumni Mentoring- Kyle Kreider
Academic Support- Susan Hritzak