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Employees Recognized for Service and Teaching
May 05, 2015
May 05, 2015
Open gallery
Recipients of the 2014-15 Joe S. Mundy Exemplary Service Award are Kerri Brinkoeter, Kelly Lessard and Desi Roybal. The award, which honors faculty and staff members who have demonstrated extraordinary service to Southwestern, was created in 2002 as a memorial to the leadership of former Trustee Joe Mundy ’64.
The 2014-15 Teaching Awards—based on student nominations—were presented to Ed Kain, Michael Gesinski and Willis Weigland.
Mundy Awards
Kerri Brinkoeter ’95, women’s basketball coach, has worked at Southwestern for a total of 8 years. This year, she led the Pirates to their first SCAC Conference Championship since 1997-98, and to a berth in the NCAA National Tournament. Brinkoeter’s priorities are not only success on the court, but in the classroom and the community. As an active volunteer, she promotes service to local organizations like The Locker and The Caring Place, involving student athletes along the way. Brinkoeter was named 2015 SCAC Coach of the Year and Southwestern Adviser of the Year at the 17th Annual Student Leadership Banquet in April.
Kelly Lessard has been a member of the Southwestern community since 2008. In addition to providing efficient and thoughtful support to several academic departments and faculty, she is also the adviser for Cat Partners of SU, a part of the Animal Allies student organization. According to members of the group, Lessard “has revitalized the organization and is really teaching the students how to be leaders.” Several faculty members also note her dedication to mentoring and assisting students, citing her willingness to go above and beyond her daily responsibilities.
Desi Roybal, associate professor of theatre, was recognized for his 15 years of service to his academic department, as well as to the Southwestern community as a whole. “He is not only an active faculty member on campus, but is also a passionate advocate for the arts in the community and for the youth of our society,” says a colleague. From committee service to volunteering his time with the NEST Empowerment Center and the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown, Roybal is a “perfect example of a faculty member who is fully engaged in his craft and the mission of the university.”
Teaching Awards
Ed Kain, professor of sociology and University Scholar, has been a member of the Southwestern faculty since 1986. He has received numerous awards for teaching and is recognized nationally as an expert on the teaching of sociology to undergraduates. In addition, Kain has taught a popular FRA (Fitness and Recreation) class on ballroom dancing.
Junior Kara Lawson spent a semester in London with Kain and says, “You can tell that he really cares about his students and puts a lot of effort into preparing class material that will be interesting as well as challenging. He truly seems like he has made his job at SU his life, and it shows in the quality of his teaching.” Kain is retiring this year, after more than 29 years of service to Southwestern.
Michael Gesinski, assistant professor of chemistry, came to Southwestern in 2013 and teaches Organic Chemistry, known as one of the more challenging courses in the major. Students nominated him because his “class emphasizes problem-solving and deep understanding” and because he expresses “genuine concern in the academic progress of [his] students.”
Willis Weigland, director of general chemistry labs, was awarded The Board of Higher Education and Ministry (BHEM) of the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award. The individual chosen is characterized by excellence in teaching, as well as “civility and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; and service to students, the institution and the community