Midland College held its 2023-24 Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Awards ceremony on April 24 to recognize the achievements of its faculty members. The event is a tradition at the college to recognize educators who have demonstrated “dedication” and “innovation” in their teaching practices.
The ceremony commenced with remarks from Vice President of Instruction Dr. Michael Dixon and President Damon Kennedy, followed by the introduction of Dr. Stan Jacobs.
Jacobs, a figure at Midland College since 1971, served as a faculty member, division chair, and associate vice president of instruction. His endowment aims to enhance the recognition and rewards associated with faculty excellence.
The Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Award has been given out to faculty members at Midland College for more than 25 years. Two faculty members are selected to receive the top prize – one to represent the academic/transfer programs and one to represent the career/technical education programs.
Dr. Terry Gilmour, professor of government and political science, was awarded the Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Award for the Transfer category.
"It's overwhelming, gratifying, satisfying, humbling, all the good things," Gilmour told Midland Times. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of working at Midland College, Gilmour said, “Without a doubt, it's working with my students. I’m very fortunate that I get to work with incredibly bright students.”
Erik Gutierrez, department chair and associate professor of automation, automotive technology, diesel technology, natural gas compression, and petroleum energy technology, received the Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Award for the Workforce category.
"It's an honor to be nominated amongst a bunch of outstanding faculty members who are passionate about their jobs and their students,” Gutierrez told Midland Times. “The most rewarding part of being with Midland College is getting to see the transition of students coming in at a young point in both their subject matter and lives. Seeing them learn new skill sets and become passionate about what they’re doing, but also seeing the fruition of that when they get in the workforce and high paying careers, makes it all worth it.”
Over 75 nominations were received for the 2023-24 Teaching Excellence Award
The top six finalists were recognized, representing both transfer and workforce categories.
The other Transfer category finalists included Dr. Debbie McNeely, associate professor of psychology; and Joey Schenkman, associate professor of biology.
The other Workforce category finalists included Brooke Foutch, department chair and vocational nursing instructor; and Anita Shellenberger, professor of office systems technology and computer information technology.
President Kennedy reflected on the significance of the Teaching Excellence Awards. "This is the best part of the job,” he told Midland Times. “The Teaching Excellence Award is the highest honor paid to a faculty member, and it's a tribute to their commitment, their craft, and their students' success."
Dr. Terry Gilmour
Erik Gutierr