- By Wells College
- Around Town
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(left to right) Tukumbi, McClusky, Penniman
“Excellence in teaching is highly valued at Wells College, and we are pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions of our faculty through the award,” said Dean Hall. “The intention of this award is to recognize the fundamental importance of the quality of teaching to the mission of Wells College and to support faculty in their pursuit of excellence in teaching.”
The award committee, which consisted of Hall, two former recipients, an alumna, and the president and vice president of the student body, selected Professor McClusky for her “love for students, for her love for teaching, and for her passion for what she teaches.”
One student nominator wrote that McClusky “started our semester out with laughter and has continued to keep us engaged during the whole semester.” Another shared that, “Just her presence gives me the motivation to work hard and achieve my goals.”
Assistant Professor of Music Victor Penniman is the recipient of the 2006 Excellence in Academic Advising Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize the fundamental importance of academic advising to the students of Wells College and to support faculty in their advising work.
Said Hall upon presenting the award to Penniman: “He understands that to be a good advisor one has not only to help students pick their classes, but to help them think for themselves and foster the notion that trying something different can lead to the creation of a more meaningful life.”
One nominator stated that the attributes that make Professor Penniman worthy of the award include “helpfulness, willingness to give advice, encouragement to think for yourself, and genuine care for the students.” Another student said that Penniman “understands that to succeed in one’s studies, one has to succeed as a person.”
Professor of Political Science Tukumbi Lumumba-Kasongo was presented with the 2006 Anne J. Russ Prize for Social Responsibility. The award committee chose Professor Lumumba-Kasongo for his “leadership and work with the faculty to engage in the challenging but important conversations about diversifying the curriculum [and for his] keen understanding and appreciation for the complexities of the dialog coupled with compassion for colleagues.”
The Anne J. Russ Prize for Social Responsibility was established in 2001 in memory of Wells Sociology Professor Anne J. Russ. The award annually recognizes that member of the College community who in the course of the year has made the most significant social, political, or ethical contribution, especially involving matters of human diversity and inclusiveness, values that were of great importance to Professor Russ.
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