Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence
Use one of the forms below then login to JayWeb to nominate a faculty member:
The generosity of an alumnus has made possible an annual award to a current Elizabethtown College faculty member for excellence in teaching and mentoring. The award is named in honor of J. Kenneth Kreider, professor of history emeritus, and Carroll L. Kreider, professor of business emerita "for their inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College." The Kreiders were not only inspirational in the classroom, but were also powerful mentors and role models.
The Elizabethtown College Community (students, faculty and staff members, and alumni) are encouraged to nominate a faculty member whose teaching, mentoring and leadership on campus are inspirational to current and former students. Current full-time faculty members who have taught at the College for at least three years are eligible. Choose from the drop-down list and write a brief (250-500 word) statement on why the nominated faculty member is deserving of the award. The deadline for nominations was Monday, March 22, 2021. Please note: If you nominated a faculty member last year, you do not need to resubmit the nomination. Your nomination will be considered along with new nominations submitted this year.
The Professional Development Committee and two students will choose the recipient of the prize from all those nominated. Remember, to be eligible for consideration, a faculty member must be nominated by at least three of the following constituencies: students, faculty and staff members, and alumni. If you’ve nominated someone, encourage members of other constituencies in the campus community to support the faculty member you have nominated. The recipient of the Kreider Prize will be announced mid-April.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Jill Moore, assistant to the associate provost for academic and faculty affairs at 717-361-1555 or moorejill@etown.edu.
2020 - 2021 Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence Recipient
Judy Beck Ericksen
The 2020-2021 recipient of the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence is Dr. Judy Beck Ericksen, Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy. The Professional Development Committee noted “students, alumni, faculty, and staff deeply respect and admire her outstanding mentorship, service ethic, and classroom engagement.”
Nomination letters described Ericksen as a great listener who takes time to get to know her students holistically. She builds trust with her students, allowing them to feel “heard and valued.”
In addition to her patient listening, students and alumni described her support and encouragement and its impact on their lives, stating, “She sees the potential in students and knows exactly what to do and say to access that potential.”
Ericksen will deliver the Kreider Prize Lecture this fall.
Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence (past recipients)
- 2019-20 - E. Fletcher McClellan
- 2018-19 - Michele Kozmor ’93
- 2017-18 - Kurt DeGoede
- 2016-17 - J. Robert Spence
- 2015-16 - Edward Chung
- 2014-15 - Oya Ozkanca
Ranck Prize for Research Excellence
The Ranck Prize for Research Excellence is an award that is presented annually to an Elizabethtown College faculty member in recognition of his/her excellence in research and commitment to his/her field of study. The Award, which has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Robert O. Kerr ’64 and Mary Ann Kerr ’64, is named in honor of Dr. John P. Ranck ’58, professor of chemistry emeritus, "for his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College."
Nominations may come from the candidate or from others (academics from the nominee’s field). Consistent with the Boyer model of scholarship, research is considered in the broadest context of understanding and includes peer-reviewed work in the areas of scholarship of discovery, the scholarship of integration, the scholarship of application/engagement, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. As such, “research” may be taken to include any of the following: publication or presentation of papers; publication of books and other scholarly material; exhibitions of art, theatrical or musical performances; and other items appropriate to the discipline.
2020 - 2021 Ranck Prize for Research Excellence Recipient
Jeffery Long
The 2020-21 recipient of the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence is Jeffery Long, Professor of Religious Studies and Asian Studies. The Professional Development Committee chose Long from nominations submitted by faculty peers. In addition to receiving a monetary award and a supplement to his professional development fund to support ongoing scholarly activity, Long will deliver remarks during the 14th annual Scholarship and Creative Arts Day on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.The Committee commended Dr. Long for his outstanding scholarship record, including the authorship of three books, two of which were published in 2020, Hinduism in America: A Convergence of Worlds and the second edition of Historical Dictionary of Hinduism. He also has written an astonishing number of scholarly articles, editorials, and blogs and edited or coedited several volumes on Hinduism. Not only is his high productivity impressive, but so too is the attention that his scholarship is garnering nationally and internationally. He has been invited to speak at a number of prestigious venues, including the University of Chicago, Yale University, Princeton University, and an interfaith conference in New Delhi. Of particular note, Dr. Long was invited three times to speak at the United Nations on Yogic Values, Reincarnation, and Ahimsa. Another highlight for Dr. Long was receiving the Hindu American Foundation's Dharma Seva Award for promoting accurate and culturally sensitive portrayals of Hindu traditions in education and media.
Ranck Prize for Research Excellence (past recipients)
- 2019-20 - Susan Mapp
- 2018-19 - E. Douglas Bomberger
- 2017-18 - April Kelly
Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship
The Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship is presented annually to an Elizabethtown College faculty member to commend and celebrate excellence in advising and mentoring students toward successful graduate school placement and/or careers. The Polanowski Prize for Excellence, which has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby, honors Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus, for his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.
The Elizabethtown College Community (students, faculty, administrators/staff, and alumni) is encouraged to nominate a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in advising and mentoring. Current full-time faculty members who have taught at the College for at least three years are eligible. To nominate a faculty member, choose from the drop-down list and provide a brief (250-500 word) statement on why the nominated faculty member is deserving of the award. The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Please note that should your nominee not receive the award in this cycle, your nomination will be included for two additional years in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024.
The faculty Professional Development Committee (PDC) and a representative group of current students will choose the recipient of the Polanowski Prize from the list of faculty members who were nominated by at least three of the following constituencies: alumni, current students, faculty, and administrators/staff. Members of the PDC may be nominated, but they will not be eligible for the award until their service on the committee has ended. You are welcomed to encourage members of other constituencies in the Elizabethtown College community to support the faculty member you have nominated. The recipient of the Polanowski Prize will be announced in March 2022.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Jill Moore, Assistant to the Associate Provosts at 717-361-1555 or moorejill@etown.edu.
2020 - 2021 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship Recipient
Hossein Varamini
The selection committee noted that Dr. Varamini’s positive impact on Elizabethtown College students through his mentoring and advising deserves recognition and celebration. Nomination letters emphasized how supportive and encouraging he is and that students could depend on him whenever they needed sound academic or career advice. He tirelessly works to help his students find high-quality internships, navigate the study abroad process, gain industry exposure, and establish a professional network. Repeatedly, former students mentioned how he helped them prioritize and align their goals with their values. Numerous students and alumni also described how they leaned upon him when they were second-guessing their academic path or facing career challenges. He not only listened but worked with them to adjust their curriculum, change their major, or find their purposeful life work.
Dr. Varamini’s profound impact is palpable. Two alumni quotes capture the essence of what his mentorship means to his current and former students.
"Because of him, I know more than just business and markets: I know language, culture, world issues, the importance of service, and the joy of learning.”
"Aside from my parents, no one has done more to influence my career than Dr. Varamini.”
Congratulations, Dr. Varamini, for recognition and celebration of your advising and mentoring!
Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising & Mentorship (past recipients)
- 2019-20 - Bryan Greenberg
- 2018-19 - Anya Goldina