Faculty Excellence, Samuel Marotta Faculty Ethics, and Innovation Award winners.

One of my favorite things at commencement is announcing the Faculty Excellence, Samuel Marotta Faculty Ethics, and Innovation Award winners. The reaction of the recipients, their surprise and delight, is always gratifying, but equally rewarding to me is the reaction of our students and fellow faculty and staff. It is apparent they too appreciate the recognition of their favorite professors, or in the case of the Innovation award, the work of fellow Northwood employees.

Those of you who attend commencement know who was awarded on your campus, but you may not know who on the other campuses was recognized.

The Northwood University Award of Faculty Excellence was established twenty-eight years ago to be given to a faculty member who has made, over the year, an outstanding contribution to the university in his or her profession. It carries a gift of $3,000, and is the highest professional award given by the University. A selection committee makes the choice. The criteria include breadth and depth of knowledge, a genuine interest and skill at preparing students for career and social responsibilities, excitement of inquiry, commitment to diligence, the courage to innovate, ability to work harmoniously with other professionals , and character which reflects the highest moral values inherent in the Northwood Idea. It is our world class award.  Because the selection is made by professional peers, this recognition is particularly meaningful.

In Florida, Kevin Petrovsky, Associate Academic Dean and Associate Professor, mathematics and science, received the Faculty Excellence Award.  In giving him this recognition, the committee noted his outstanding performance in and out of the classroom. “As an instructor, he is challenging and rigorous, innovative and relevant, passionate and patient. He spends hours outside of class helping students understand the material or on the road taking field trips with them so they can understand real life applications. He is always looking for ways to improve his teaching and student learning while at the same time balancing concern for students with a determination to stretch them to achieve new heights.

As a colleague he is looked upon as a tireless contributor, practical leader, and unwavering supporter of Northwood University. He is a mentor to faculty, ambassador to other departments on campus, and creative thinker in seeking solutions to pressing needs. He is known as a hard worker, a capable leader, and a person who will get the job done—right and on time. He is willing to serve in any capacity, wherever he is needed, and often for tasks no one else is willing to undertake, yet he always approaches what he does with high expectations for himself and his full, 100% effort. He is a valuable member of the faculty and the Florida campus. He is respected by all.

In Michigan, Benedict Hughes, assistant professor of Language Arts, received the award. The selection committee describes him as follows: “Our honoree is not flamboyant, he is not a buddy to students, he does not spout off about the latest teaching theory, his classes are not stage shows, and he is not an actor. He has this way of sneaking up on students and gently smacking them over the head with his intellect. He is the kind of teacher they remember—the one that ‘made a difference’ in their college career. For this to be true of a creative writing instructor at a business school is nothing short of astonishing. Many of his students relate:  ‘After taking his class you won’t care what grade you received because the knowledge you gained will be far more valuable.’”

Lea Holland, Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Management Information Systems in Texas received the Faculty Excellence Award.  She is known for her innovation, hard work, and love of teaching. She demands the best and usually receives it. She has helped our University grow and mature. She spends countless hours with her students, one-on-one doing everything in her power to answer their questions and help them learn the concepts. She continually innovates her approach to curriculum and teaching and is not one to settle for status quo.

The Samuel R. Marotta Faculty Ethics Award is another of our world class awards. It was given to the college by Northwood University alumnus Robert Grubb (our commencement speaker this year for the Michigan afternoon ceremony and one of the newest members of the Gallery of Distinction) in honor of his step-father. The purpose of this award is to recognize faculty members who, during their time at Northwood, most challenged their students’ thinking about the kind of moral issues they may face in their careers and how they might respond.

The recipients of this award have the following characteristics:
In the Classroom:

• A natural enthusiasm towards inquiry of moral and ethical issues that stimulates students to explore and apply their own values to classroom discussions and campus community life.
• An interest to explore the effects of an absence of clear moral and ethical standards in the business world.
• An ongoing desire to encourage students to understand, respect and contrast different moral and ethical norms in the global community.
• Ability of expression about moral and ethical issues that facilitates the students’ ability to comprehend and digest these issues and their impact.
• An ongoing effort to bring into class specific leadership examples where moral or ethical issues have altered business decisions.

In and out of the Classroom:

• Personal character that is an example embodying the essence of the Northwood Idea and the University’s Code of Ethics.            
• A perspective that places personal accomplishment in the larger context of community, societal and spiritual values.

Florida recognized two winners– Justin Harmon, Assistant Professor, Entertainment, Sport & Promotion Management and Associate Professor Kevin Petrovsky.

On the Michigan campus Mauro Amor, Assistant Professor of Economics, and at the DeVos Graduate School, Associate Professor Dr. Agustin Arbulu were recognized.

Texas announces the Marotta Award earlier in the academic year. This year’s recipient was Michael Lansing, Chair of the Hotel, Restaurant & Resort Management department.

The Innovation Award can be given to up to five of our employees or teams, university-wide, who have demonstrated special attention to our university and our students by innovating or creating special programs or processes or initiatives which move us ahead. It is not empty praise as it comes equipped with a $1,000 prize. Any employee or team, other than a vice president or provost, may be nominated by an officer for it.

In Florida, the person who was selected for this award has been an innovator since she arrived on campus. Through her efforts we have businesses in the community who call for our advertising students to work on campaigns and strategies for them. Assistant Professor and Depart Chair, Advertising and Marketing, Jennifer McFarland received the Innovation Award this year.

Michigan recognized several Innovators - Admissions Counselor Wynn McDonald for his leadership in updating and expanding our community college articulations and developing a strategy to impact these markets; Kelly Sinacola, of the IT department, and Susan Ridgway, from Finance, who successfully implemented a new electronic system for student accounts; and Assistant Professor of Language Arts, Jennifer Luzar who led an initiative to bring part-time faculty into the mainstream of Northwood Life.

Michael Anguiano, Dean of Student Services on the Texas campus, won the Innovation Award for his work on crisis management planning and community initiatives.

We also had the pleasure of announcing four Professor (or Dean) Emeriti–Dr. John Amin (MI), Associate Professor Wilfred "Fred" Jordan (FL), Dr. Cheryl Pridgeon (Dean) (FL), and Assistant Professor, Donald Shriver (TX).

Commencement is about celebration and achievement. Please congratulate the award winners on your campus. Through efforts such as theirs, when combined with the hard work we all do together, we will move Northwood University into a strong second fifty years.

Enjoy the long holiday weekend.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)