2017 University of Findlay Faculty Awards Announced

Eleven University of Findlay faculty members were recognized at the 2017 faculty recognition dinner on Oct. 25. In celebration of their dedication to the University and its students, the following faculty members were recognized:
Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., associate professor of English, recipient of the Founders’ Academic Excellence Award for Faculty. Established by the Churches of God and the University, the Founders’ Academic Excellence Award for Faculty is awarded to an individual who demonstrates all-around academic excellence and Christian witness.
Farabee McCarthy, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of animal and pre-veterinary studies, recipient of the David L. Allen Award. The David L. Allen Award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates teaching excellence, extraordinary performance both inside and outside of the classroom, and ability to impact the lives of students immediately and in all realms of development on and off campus.
Gwynne Rife, Ph.D., professor of biological sciences, education and chair of advanced professional programs in the College of Education, recipient of the Harriette Smith Ritz Service to the University Award. Highlighting the importance of service to the institution by faculty members, the Harriette Smith Ritz Service to the University Award recognizes exemplary contributions to academic governance and other service leadership roles within a program, department, college or the institution at large.
Ryan Schneider, Pharm.D., Ph.D., assistant professor and chair of pharmaceutical science, recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award in the College of Pharmacy. Established in 2015, the Faculty Excellence Award recognizes one faculty member each year for excellence and effectiveness as a teacher, researcher or for engagement in service activities to benefit initiatives of the College or University.
Maria Gamba, associate professor in the College of Business, named Shiv Kumar Gupta Faculty Chair in the College of Business. The Faculty Chair in the College of Business is awarded to an individual who demonstrates exceptional achievements in teaching, scholarship and service to the institution.
William Doyle, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental, safety and occupational health management, named Faculty Chair in the College of Sciences. The theme of this year’s program faculty chair draws from recent events and the planned program will focus on issues surrounding the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and mass shootings in the United States. Doyle’s experience and scholarship in emergency management in which he has given multiple presentations, produced publications and submitted grants, focuses on disaster management and preparedness.
Christine Tulley, Ph.D., professor of English, director of the Masters of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing Program, recipient of the Richard E. Wilkin Faculty Chair in the College of Liberal Arts. The Richard E. Wilkin Faculty Chair is named in honor of Dr. Richard E. Wilkin, former administrator of the Churches of God, General Conference; a member of the University of Findlay’s Board of Trustees and a longtime friend of the College of Liberal Arts. The Wilkin Chair is awarded annually to a faculty member in the College of Liberal Arts who embodies excellence in scholarship, teaching and service.
The late Keith Beck who served as the director of the strength and conditioning program, recipient of the Sharon Milligan Faculty Excellence Award. The Sharon Milligan Faculty Excellence Award was named after Sharon Milligan, a retired emeritus faculty member from the Health and Human Performance Department. The award recognizes a faculty member who exhibits compassion, integrity, dedication and distinction in teaching, scholarship, service learning, diversity initiatives or exemplary service to the University, the College of Health Professions, the greater community or their discipline.
Mary Cameron, Ph.D., recipient of the James D. and Judith L. Philipp Award for Excellence in the College of Education. Established to recognize excellence in the areas of teaching, supervision and support of students in the College of Education, the James D. and Judith L. Philipp Award for Excellence is awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates concern, enthusiasm, good moral character and a sense of charity, and patriotism when working with education students.
Scott Grant, Ed.D., assistant professor of business and coordinator of undergraduate initiatives, recipient of the Shiv Kumar Gupta Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Shiv Kumar Gupta Award for Excellence in Teaching is awarded to a faculty member for their exceptional achievements in teaching, scholarship and service to the institution.
Jack Corle, associate professor of art, recipient of the Elizabeth S. Gupta Award for Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts. The Elizabeth S. Gupta Award for Excellence in Teaching Fine Arts honors teaching quality in the classroom as based on the relationship an excellent teacher establishes with his or her students, both in the course of students’ campus careers and beyond.