Provost Allison Jablonski recognized the recipients of this year’s faculty awards at a ceremony Friday, alongside the presentation of academic awards to students.

Dr. Holly Gould, professor of curriculum and instruction at the College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counselling, won two awards for 2022: the Thomas C. Allen and Heidi Koring Award for Excellence in Academic Counseling and the Shirley E. Rosser Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The nomination letters referenced Gould’s “caring and engaged school board approach” to the former award, describing her as an advocate and listener to her students.

Those who submitted her name said she often worked irregular hours to help students through their academic journey and had lasting connections with her counselors long after graduation.

Gould’s infectious passion for teaching and learning also factored into his selection for the teaching award, and the selection committee ended up with his name at the top of the list.

The nominators highlighted Gould’s ability to energize students through the challenge of teaching online during the coronavirus pandemic. Students have referenced her continued availability and concern for their well-being throughout this time.

the James A. Huston Award for Excellence in Scholarship went to Dr Lindsay Michie, Associate Professor of History, in recognition of her 2021 publication of “The Spirit of Resistance in Music and Spoken Word from the Eastern Cape of South Africa”.

Already an established teacher-scholar with previously published work on the convergence of music and resistance, Michie’s new book has won critical acclaim and cemented her expertise as an expert in this field, her nominators wrote. .

They also praised his work in establishing the John Chilembwe historic marker in downtown Lynchburg, exploring the pastor and educator’s ties to Africa and illustrating the possibilities for collaborative teacher-student research.

This year Elsie Ervin Bock Award for Excellence in Citizenship was awarded to Ursula Bryant, Associate Professor of Art, for her extensive involvement on campus and in the community at large.

Beyond his multi-level support of students and promotion of service-learning opportunities, Bryant’s nominators noted his “selfless work on multiple campus committees” and his contributions to campus, including mentoring students who created the university tartan and by obtaining a grant to create a 3D map of the campus.

Bryant leads by example, the nominators said, by lecturing on “citizenship and design” and promoting his work in a variety of settings, such as presenting last year at the international STEM-STEAM Arts Humanities conference. Social Science and Education.

The 2022 Edward A. Polloway Award for Excellence in Higher Education was awarded to Dr. Jennifer Hall, associate professor of health promotion and public health, with the award committee citing her “outstanding academic achievement” at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

A master’s student in public health called Hall “the best example of a teacher and mentor” regardless of the circumstances. Among other qualities, they noted his teaching philosophy toward experiential work and his focus on alleviating socioeconomic disparities associated with public health issues.

When selecting Hall, the award committee said his expertise and “commitment to academic excellence” are an inspiration to the success of his students.

Recognized for building a “culture of ongoing research with her students,” Music Department Chair Dr. Cynthia Ramsey received this year’s award. Excellence in Research Mentorship Award.

Letters of support from past and current students have said Ramsey’s mentorship was essential to developing their performance, teaching and research skills, as well as an overall sense of inner confidence. These skills, they wrote, extended far beyond their journey through higher education and their presentations at conferences.

The award committee referenced Ramsey’s nomination in highlighting the value she places on mentorship, saying it “can happen anytime, anywhere: in the classroom or in the musical performance ensemble.” .