Spotlight on NISOD* Winners
Professor Michael Love and Professor James Rawlins
Krista Hornyak, Editor
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
|
Professor Michael Love was recently named recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award, which recognizes outstanding excellence in teaching and leadership.
His reaction was one of great surprise and gratitude. Teaching is his true passion, and he works very hard at all aspects of it.
"I am very happy to be recognized for doing something that I very much enjoy doing," said Love.
For the past three years, he has shared his passion with the students of SCCC, teaching both lecture and lab for forensic science, introductory chemistry, college chemistry I, and college chemistry II. While he enjoys all of these courses, he says his greatest satisfaction comes from helping students understand the difficult subject of chemistry.
Professor Love reminds us that it is extremely important to take the opportunity to expand your horizons. "Education is an enabler. It opens doors that may be closed to you otherwise."
Spotlight on Professor Jim Rawlins
Professor Jim Rawlins has been in school all of his life.
Upon graduating from Rutgers University with a B.A. in English, he attended the State University of New York, where he earned his M.A.
Rawlins immediately began teaching at Union County College, where he remained for 18 years. Desiring a change, he came to Newton and interviewed for a teaching position at SCCC.
"The faculty seemed friendly and committed to making a small college grow," said Rawlins. He soon joined them, excited to be playing an important role in shaping the future identity of the college.
While at SCCC, Professor Rawlins has taught English 101, 102, Literature of the Dysfunctional Family, Film and Literature, and Survey of Literature courses, and he enjoys every one of them.
"Each new course is a wonderful opportunity to create a community of thinkers; typically, I learn as much or more from my students than they do from me."
While Jim cannot choose just one aspect he likes most about teaching, he states that it is very rewarding "helping young students discover that their own writing fosters self-awareness and helps them frame questions about how life should be lived with deep satisfaction and zest. Bringing dramatic and insightful literature to the classroom helps me show students that the desire for self expression is timeless, part of the rich, intoxicating, and sometimes painful human condition."
Professor Rawlins has made a great impact on both the students and faculty of SCCC.
He was recently named recipient of the NISOD award, which recognizes praiseworthy development among college educators and key organizational members of colleges.
"To be welcomed into a national group of similarly recognized teachers is gratifying," said Rawlins, adding that it's especially pleasing to receive the award this year because it was voted upon by his colleagues.
"Quite simply, it is an honor that I will not forget."