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Ten faculty finalists were chosen from a group of more than 250 nominations for this year’s 48th Annual 5X���� Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award. The three recipients of the award will receive a $1,500 cash prize and a crystal apple. They also will be honored at the University Teaching Council Conference luncheon on Friday, Oct. 23.

Each year, the Kent State Alumni Association recognizes Kent State’s outstanding faculty members by awarding three nominated educators with the Distinguished Teaching Award. The Distinguished Teaching Award is the most prestigious award that Kent State accords to full-time, tenure-track faculty members.

In order to be nominated, faculty members must have been employed at the university for at least seven years and be in a tenure-track position.

“With so many deserving nominees, it is truly an honor to be selected as an award finalist,” says Lori Randorf, assistant vice president of the Kent State Alumni Association. “Faculty members represent 5X���� to so many of our students, and the impact they have on the Kent State experience is remembered long after graduation. The effort put forth in the classroom by these finalists is a wonderful example of faculty commitment to student success.”

Among the nominees are Maureen Blankemeyer, School of Life Span Development and Educational Sciences, Kent Campus; Natalie Caine-Bish, School of Health Sciences, Kent Campus; Kelly Cichy, School of Life Span Development and Educational Sciences, Kent Campus; Douglas Goldsmith, School of Visual Communication Design, Kent Campus; Mark Kershner, Department of Biological Sciences, Kent Campus; Jan Leach, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Kent Campus; Jennifer Maxwell, Department of Political Science, Kent Campus; Christopher Ransom, School of Visual Communication Design, Kent Campus; Gregory Stroh, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Kent Campus and David Hacker, Department of Geology, 5X���� at Trumbull and Kent Campus.

Student nominators acknowledge David Hacker for his ability to extend learning beyond the classroom. He inspires students through hands-on learning, as well as provides a positive and welcoming classroom environment.

“Dr. Hacker truly motivated me to learn about the subject matter in all his classes I had the pleasure of taking with him,” writes a student nominator. “Through effective communication, Dr. Hacker conveyed concepts very clearly. He enjoys his work and is trustworthy when seeking advice.”

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