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Wilkins Awards Presented to Eight Outstanding Faculty and Staff

Posted May 11, 2010:

The 2009-10 Wilkins Appreciation Awards were presented to four faculty members during the full faculty meeting on Monday, May 10.

he 2009-10 Wilkins Appreciation Awards were presented to four faculty members during the full faculty meeting on Monday, May 10, and to four staff members during the full staff meeting on Wednesday, May 12. Wilkins Appreciation Awards are given at the conclusion of each academic year for outstanding contributions to the development of the reputation of the university; a major cost-saving idea implemented at the university based on an individual’s initiative; outstanding leadership in a crisis or difficult situation that helped to sustain life or make life more fulfilling for the university community; achievement of distinction or special recognition by peers for achievement in the recipient's occupation or profession.

The 2009-10 faculty award winners are Professor of Biopharmaceutical Sciences David Newton, Director of General Education Amy Sarch Schopick, Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Petra Schweitzer and Professor of Music Clyde Thomas Shaw. This year’s staff awards were presented to Director of Foundation Relations Jenny Bousquet, Media Services Coordinator David Chavez, Receptionist for Physician Assistant Studies Mari Stoilova, and Dean of Spiritual Life Rhonda VanDyke Colby.

Newton came to Shenandoah in 1996, one of the original members of the pharmacy school’s faculty. For 13 years, he was chair of the Department of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, and he currently chairs two of five standing committees in pharmacy and serves as the Shenandoah University Safety Officer. He represents Shenandoah as a member of numerous boards, including, since 1996, the United States Pharmacopeia, the non-governmental, official public standards-setting authority for prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other health-care products manufactured or sold in the United States. The results of Dr. Newton’s work are now being implemented in every hospital, pharmacy, physician’s office and all other facilities across the country that prepare sterile products.

In the words of one nomination, Dr. Sarch "represents the highest ideals and practices of teaching and service at Shenandoah University." She is director of General Education, the Women’s Studies program and the First-Year Seminar program. For the latter two, she has created initiatives for instruction for both faculty and students. Through programs such as Take Back the Night, she has shown leadership and commitment. By her personal professional example, she instills strength, dignity and empowerment in her students. She is dedicated to improving young women’s self-perception. To again quote a nomination, "Amy brings theory, practice, expertise, experience, beauty and grace to her position and to her students."

Leading up the Holocaust Conference at Shenandoah in April, one might believe Dr. Schweitzer had turned into the Energizer Bunny. She worked tirelessly, from conception through actuality, to bring this most important discussion to the campus. For the last four years, she has submitted grant applications to the French American Cultural Exchange and brought the prestigious Tourness French Film Festival to Shenandoah, developing a devoted following of students, faculty, staff and community members. In the classroom, she directs both the German and French programs in the foreign language department and supervises the adjuncts in both languages. She redesigned and reinstituted the French minor. And, she has been highly involved with the Global Citizenship Project. In the words of a nomination, "As a colleague, Petra is warm and supportive. Her energy and enthusiasm enliven any meeting!"

The words "indefatigable," "selfless" and "leader" came through over and over in nominations for Shaw. He continually takes extra time to create performance ensembles and opportunities for his students to pursue and attain meaningful learning experiences. In the words of a nomination, "He lives for his students and musical community. His passion and devotion to his students is truly outstanding." He assumed a co-leadership role in the Holocaust Conference and been noted as a leader among his peers for his relationship with our alumni and for inter-disciplinary collaborations such as last fall’s Cellobration. His artistic leadership truly soars with the Audubon Quartet, Shenandoah’s renowned String Quartet-in-Residence. His representation of the conservatory and university has been described as "exemplary."

 

Citing her "knowledge, cooperation and hard work," multiple nominations from within the College of Arts & Sciences noted that Bousquet has obtained over $165,000 in external funding for one department alone within the last two years. She is credited with notifying faculty about grant opportunities and working with them to write, revise and improve their proposals. She has "tireless attention to detail…tremendous patience and eagerness to help," another nomination stated. Her work on behalf of the Division of Nursing has helped them obtain grants that have provided both scholarship and equipment. Her service outside Shenandoah was also noted, including her work the Adult Care Center, where SU students are assigned, providing the university with another benefit from her skills and service.

As media services coordinator, Chavez is part of the library staff. His work truly crosses over and impacts all aspects of the SU community, students, staff, faculty, administration, trustees, alumni and the public. He is knowledgeable about music and technology, but, in the words of a nomination, "his greatest strength is with customer service and support of the university mission." During the February blizzards, he worked with faculty to provide online instruction for snowbound students. He "interprets" Shenandoah’s many technical needs to vendors and negotiates with suppliers to get the university the best prices possible. He will research products not used before and provides guidance in decision-making as well as instruction in using classroom and instructional technology. And he does all this, it was noted, "with good humor."

One nomination for Stoilova said "she epitomizes the mission of this university with a customer service orientation that is beyond reproach," and that extends to her staff colleagues, faculty and students in the Division of Physician Assistant Studies. She was called "a team player" with "a huge desire to learn." As the division’s receptionist, she is the first person to greet potential students as well as visitors and provides information and answers questions on the program. She assists with the admissions process, maintaining the department’s database, student projects and – as one faculty member confessed – mentors faculty. As an added bonus, she brings to Shenandoah’s multi-cultural community two languages – her native Bulgarian and Russian.

As dean of spiritual life, VanDyke Colby truly reaches out to, and embraces, every member of the SU community. She counsels students, faculty and staff. She leads by example. She serves as a bridge between the university and the greater community through the service projects she initiates and leads. She is endlessly enthusiastic and brings a glowing attitude and positive outlook to everything she does. As one nomination phrased it, she can bring "an effortless calm amidst the storm, a ray of sun on a cloudy day…making ministry and a higher power the forefront in everything she does."

 

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