Faculty Awards
Each year, Elizabethtown College honors its faculty members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to teaching, mentoring, and research through four prestigious awards: the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence, the Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship, the Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service, and the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence. These awards celebrate faculty members who inspire students, contribute to their academic and professional growth, and advance their respective fields through dedicated research.
Faculty Award Winners
2024-2025
Polanowski Prize
for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship
Dr. Conrad Kanagy
Learn More2024-25 Ranck Prize for Research Excellence
Dr. Cristina Ciocirlan
The 2024-2025 recipient of the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence is Dr. Cristina Ciocirlan, Associate Professor of Management.
Dr. Ciocirlan is commended for her outstanding contribution to her field and collaborative research. Most notably, she is recognized for both the quantity and quality of her scholarly work in the broad field of social responsibility in business. Recent contributions include book publications through the journal "Organization & Environment," the "Journal of Cleaner Production," and the "European Management Review," and a book chapter to "Green Human Resource Management: Introduction and Overview." Her interdisciplinary scholarly work has had a significant impact on the field. Likewise, the committee also recognizes the prestige of Dr. Ciocirlan's 2015 Fulbright Scholarship award at Durham University, in the United Kingdom.
About the Ranck Prize
The Ranck Prize for Research Excellence was established as a permanent endowment by Robert O. Kerr ’64 and Mary Ann Kerr ’64 to recognize and celebrate outstanding research by a full-time faculty member of Elizabethtown College. The award honors John P. Ranck ’58, faculty member emeritus and former chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, for “his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.”
The recipient of the Ranck Prize is announced annually in December.
- 2023-24 - Michael Silberstein
- 2022-23 - James MacKay
- 2021-22 - Oya Dursun-Özkanca
- 2020-21 - Jeffery Long
- 2019-20 - Susan Mapp
- 2018-19 - E. Douglas Bomberger
- 2017-18 - April Kelly
2025-26 Ranck Prize Nominations
Consistent with the Boyer model of scholarship, research is interpreted broadly and includes peer-reviewed work in the scholarship of discovery, integration, application/engagement, and teaching and learning. Examples include: publication or presentation of scholarly papers, publication of books and other academic works, exhibitions of art, theatrical productions, or musical performances, and other contributions appropriate to the nominee’s discipline.
Who Can Be Nominated
- Current, full-time faculty who have taught at the College for at least three years.
- Nominations may come from the candidate themselves or from a faculty member within the nominee’s field.
- View the list of eligible candidates.
How to Nominate
Complete the nomination form by Monday, Sept. 15. You may choose to remain anonymous to the Professional Development Committee (PDC). You’ll be asked to submit:
- A brief (250–500 word) letter written for readers outside the nominee’s discipline.
- Any additional nomination materials you wish to include.
Note: If you nominated a faculty member last year, you do not need to resubmit. Your previous nomination will be considered alongside new submissions, and the nominee will be invited to update their portfolio.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Dana Maulfair, Assistant to the Associate Provosts at 717-361-3734 or maulfaird@etown.edu.
2024-25 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship
Dr. Conrad Kanagy
The 2024-2025 recipient of the Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship is Dr. Conrad Kanagy, Professor of Sociology.
The selection committee noted Dr. Kanagy’s commitment to his students’ success through outstanding mentorship and advising. Student nominators provided highly descriptive letters that noted his service as a positive role model who readily fostered a sense of belonging, both in and out of the classroom. His students consistently praised his ability to recognize their potential, provide personalized guidance, and create an inclusive and inspiring learning environment where they felt valued, challenged, and encouraged to succeed.
About the Polanowski Prize
Each year, an award is presented to a current 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 in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship, which has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby, is named in honor of Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus, for his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.
The recipient of the Polanowski Prize is announced annually in February.
- 2023-24 - Debra Wohl
- 2022-23 - Jane Cavender
- 2021-22 - Jeff Rood
- 2020-21 - Hossein Varamini
- 2019-20 - Bryan Greenberg
- 2018-19 - Anya Goldina
2024-25 Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service
Dr. Kurt DeGoede
The 2024-25 recipient of the inaugural Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service is Dr. Kurt DeGoede, Professor of Engineering.
The selection committee commended DeGoede for embodying the College's Educate for Service motto by developing student-faculty experiences that create pathways and preparation for successful careers. His dedication to service, particularly through his impactful work in The Gambia, has not only fostered deep global connections but also provided students with transformative learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, equipping them with cultural understanding, professional skills, and a commitment to meaningful engagement.
About the Schmidt Prize
The Schmidt Prize was created to honor an inspiring faculty member who demonstrates the importance of student-faculty experiences through the embodiment of our Educate for Service motto. This prize was made possible through the generosity of alumna Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and will celebrate a faculty member creating meaningful and purposeful student experiences through service (i.e. community-based learning, research-intensive courses, field/internship oversight, etc.) that create pathways and preparation for the real world. The recipient of the Schmidt Prize embraces the teacher-scholar model by engaging students as partners in advancing their scholarly research agendas and preparing students well for successful careers.
The recipient of the Schmidt Prize is announced annually in April.
2024-25 Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence
Dr. Suzanne Webster
The 2024-2025 recipient of the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence is Dr. Suzanne Webster, Professor of English (Ralph W. Schlosser Endowed Chair) and Director of the English Literature Program.
Students who nominated Webster noted her provision of extensive feedback on their written work, which built their confidence and improved their writing. Nomination letters emphasized Webster's ability to foster an engaging, intellectually rigorous classroom environment, where her infectious enthusiasm for literature, deep subject expertise, and dedication to student success inspired confidence, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for learning.
About the Kreider Prize
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 recipient of the Kreider Prize is announced annually in May.
- 2023-24 - Elizabeth Dalton
- 2022-23 - Brenda Read-Daily
- 2021-22 - Michael Roy
- 2020-21 - Judy Beck Ericksen ’80
- 2019-20 - E. Fletcher McClellan
- 2018-19 - Michele Kozimor ’93
- 2017-18 - Kurt DeGoede
- 2016-17 - J. Robert Spence
- 2015-16 - Edward Chung
- 2014-15 - Oya Ozkanca
