By Ella Prieto, Editor-in-Chief
President’s Report
President Bob Iuliano began the final faculty meeting of the academic year with an admissions update, sharing that the data is strong, particularly on the domestic side. This is especially important as international interest in American colleges has decreased due to federal policy. He stressed that there is still more work to do, but that he is proud of the work by the admissions team.
Iuliano transitioned into what the College has next on its agenda, primarily the continued work of Gettysburg 2.0. Over the summer, a group of faculty and administrators will work to produce recommendations for the College based on the recently completed market research. This will be presented to the faculty in the fall. To shift full focus on this work, non-urgent routine faculty reports and departmental reports will be deferred or delayed.
“Everything that we do has to come from and be informed by the community,” concluded Iuliano. “We have to act quickly, but also wisely, with a focus on our mission.”
Faculty Awards
Provost Jamila Bookwala was absent, as she delivered a commencement address to the Graduate class of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Michelle Schmidt performed her duties instead, overseeing the allocation of the Faculty Awards. The Provost’s Office awards were as followed:
- The “Dr. Robert E. Dutton ’46 Memorial Mentorship Award” recognizes a faculty member for “[demonstrating] excellence in advising and mentoring students.” This year’s winner is Professor Andy Wilson, chair of the Environmental Studies Department
- The “Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award,” which recognizes a new faculty member “whose teaching is recognized as outstanding by faculty colleagues,” was awarded to Anthropology Professor Kirby Farah.
- The “Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize,” which recognizes a faculty member “who stands out as having advanced a campus climate that is supportive of differences in the classroom or beyond,” was awarded to Spanish Professor Verónica Calvillo.
- The “Distinguished Teaching Award“ is the “highest honor that the faculty can bestow on a colleague.” This year’s winner is Professor Caroline Hartzell, chair of the Political Science Department.
Following this, Asian studies professor and director of the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning (JCCTL) Junjie Luo announced the winner of the “JCCTL Excellence in Teaching Award,” which is given to a faculty member whose teaching “has come to the fore as so exceptional that it stands apart from the work of many other gifted teachers.” This year’s recipient is Environmental Studies Professor Sarah Principato.
Director of the Center for Public Service Jeff Rioux then announced the winner of the “Faculty Award for Community Engagement.” The award recognizes a faculty member who “has connected students to community engaged work for social justice in a meaningful and transformative way.” East Asian Studies Professor and Immersion Project Advisor Yoko Nishimura was this year’s recipient.
Valedictories
Concluding the meeting was the recognition of five professors retiring and/or leaving the College. First was History Professor Timothy Shannon presenting on fellow Professor of History Michael Birkner ’72. Shannon’s speech was full of humor and heart, tracing Birkner’s personal history with the College.
“During [Birnker’s] tenure in the History Department as chair, he reinvigorated our curriculum and diversified our faculty, strengthening our reputation as one of the best history programs among national liberal arts colleges to our donors, alumni and prospective students and their parents,” remarked Shannon. “He’s been the face of Gettysburg College, warmly welcoming people to campus, participating in reunions, fundraisers and admissions events.”
Professor of Psychology Dan McCall took over to speak about Professor of Psychology Kathy Cain, speaking about her history and impact on the College.
“Simply put, Kathy is adored by her students, and not just because she’s a kind person, but because she challenges and inspires them in a way that makes them feel competent and valuable,” explained McCall. “It is a gift, the kind of impact we can’t quantify in our quadrennial or promotion or valuations.
Professor of Physics Kurt Andersen then spoke about Professor of Chemistry Shelli Frey, a guiding force in the College’s sciences who worked with him to develop the X-SIG program.
“Shelli Frey’s 18 years at Gettysburg College are far too short, but somehow she’s had a profound impact on nearly everything we do, from the way we teach the sciences to her ideas being leaned on by the administration for determining how to move forward during these tough times,” said Andersen. “Shelli is an exceptional educator, and an exceptional scientist and person. Gettysburg College is infinitely indebted to all that Shelli has given to it.”
Environmental Studies Professor Rud Platt transitioned into sharing fellow Environmental Studies Professor Salma Monani’s story, explaining how she came from India to the United States with few possessions to attend college. While at Gettysburg College, she developed the Environmental Humanities concentration and mentored countless students through Kolbe Fellowships, Honors Theses, Fullbright Fellowship wins and admissions to top graduate programs.
“Thank you, Salma, for everything you’ve given us, to this institution, to the community, to all of us,” ended Platt.
Professor of English Jack Ryan shared remarks about Professor of Management and former Provost Christopher Zappe. Ryan traced Zappe’s time in Florida to Bucknell University, where he had been the dean of arts and sciences before coming to Gettysburg as Provost.
“Speaking on behalf of your former staff members and members of the faculty, Chris, we encourage you to move forward toward goodness, retain your perpetual smile and remain forever optimistic,” stated Ryan.
Schmidt concluded the meeting with a recognition of Adjunct Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Stephanie Sellers, who has taught at Gettysburg College for 26 years.
