Shepherdstown, W.Va., – The Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia is accepting nominations for their 2019 Professor of the Year contest.
Rebecca Tinder, secretary of the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginia said, “Excellent teaching is the primary consideration. As indicated in the nomination instructions, student counseling, leadership, innovation, and other matters are also taken into consideration.”
The awards will be presented at a banquet hosted in Charleston in spring 2020.
“Our goal is to identify West Virginia’s finest college professors, and we hope you will assist us by nominating your institution’s very best,” Tinder said.
Last year Dr. Heidi Hanrahan, a professor of English at Shepherd University, won the Professor of the Year award.
“I couldn’t believe it. If you look at pictures taken at the moment it was announced, I am looking straight up to the ceiling in disbelief. The other finalists were so amazing that I didn’t think I stood a chance. It just goes to show how fantastic WV professors are,” Hanrahan said.
“I am thrilled to be able to represent Shepherd in this way and help celebrate what a special place this is. I keep saying that there are people all over this campus who can/should win this award. It’s great to make some noise on their behalf and on behalf of our terrific students and amazing staff here at Shepherd.”
The Professor of the Year will be given a cash award of $10,000, a trophy and statewide recognition. Finalists of the contest will be awarded $1,000.
Hanrahan said, “That night, I celebrated with my dean, Dow Benedict, and two of my cherished colleagues, Dr. Carrie Messenger and Dr. Amy DeWitt, who had accompanied me to Charleston for the event. We sat outside at the hotel and had a celebratory drink. Over the summer, two wonderful members of the Shepherdstown community, Beth Batdorf and Skip Adkins, hosted an amazing party for me at Skip’s house. It’s been quite a ride!”