Eleven Central College faculty members received awards this spring for outstanding commitment, energy and innovation. “I am keenly aware of the impressive talents and credentials of our wonderful faculty and their dedication to the college and their disciplines,” said Central College President Mark Putnam. “I admire their commitment to innovation and creativity across all our academic disciplines, and academic rigor all within an environment that challenges, celebrates and stimulates a rich, liberal arts education.”
Four Central faculty members also received tenure this year, and two were promoted to professor. Three longtime professors have retired this year, and have been named to emeritus status.
Terry Kleven, professor of religion
Dr. John Wesselink Award
This award recognizes faculty achievement in scholarship having direct impact on classroom teaching. Nominations for the award specifically identify the faculty member’s scholarly accomplishments in relation to advancements in courses, programs, majors and student participation in research.
Terry Kleven completed his bachelor’s degree from The University of Calgary and his master’s and Ph.D. from McMaster University. He has taught at Central since 1996.
Maria Snyder, associate professor of French and German
David Crichton Memorial Teaching Award
This award recognizes outstanding teaching at Central that perpetuates the type of instruction that challenges and shapes the intellectual development of students.
Maria Snyder completed her bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University, her master’s from the University of Illinois-Chicago and her Ph.D. from Washington University-St. Louis. She has taught at Central since 2010.
Kristin Siewert, lecturer of biology
Frank W. Moore Faculty Award
This award recognizes faculty achievement in scholarship having direct impact on classroom teaching. Nominations for the award specifically identify the faculty member’s scholarly accomplishments in relation to advancements in courses, programs, majors and student participation in research.
Kristin Siewert completed her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa and her master’s from Iowa State University. She has taught at Central since 2004.
Shawn Wick, assistant professor of sociology
Hutch Bearce Community-Building and Faculty Leadership Award
This award recognizes faculty members for efforts over a sustained period of time in community building and mentorship or leadership.
Shawn Wick completed his bachelor’s degree from Loras College, his master’s from Illinois State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He has taught at Central since 2011.
Curriculum Visit Team to Bangor University
Huffman Award for Outstanding Support of International Education
This award recognizes the contributions made by Donald and Maxine Huffman to the Central programs in international education, including cross-cultural areas and foreign language courses, with particular emphasis on study abroad.
This team included Stephen Fyfe, Robert Franks, Mark Johnson, Ashley Scolaro, Randy Renstrom, Dawn Reece and Shawn Wick.
Left to right: Randall Renstrom, Mark Johnson, Robert Franks, Shawn Wick, Ashley Scolaro, Dawn Reece, Stephen Fyfe (not pictured)
Faculty Emeritus
Glenn Barnett, Department of Chemistry
Glenn Barnett completed his bachelor’s degree in 1979 from California State University, his master’s in 1979 from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in 1986 in nutritional biochemistry. He started at Central College in 1993 and was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor in 1999. Read more about Glenn Barnett.
Anne Petrie, Department of Music
Anne Petrie completed her Bachelor of Music degree in 1976, her Master of Music in 1978 at the University of Illinois and her Doctor of Musical Arts in 1990 from the University of Oklahoma. She started at Central College in 1986, was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor in 1994 and became professor in 2001. Read more about Anne Petrie.
Alan (Chad) Ray, Department of Philosophy and Religion
Chad Ray completed his bachelor’s degree in 1971 from Yale University and his Ph.D. in 1976 in philosophy from Northwestern University. He started at Central College in 1976, was granted tenure in 1984, promoted to associate professor in 1985 and became professor in 2007. Chad currently holds the Dr. Jacob and Gela Schnucker Sessler Chair in Philosophy and Religion. Read more about Chad Ray.
Left to right: Alan (Chad) Ray, Anne Petrie, Glenn Barnett
Faculty Tenure and Promotion: Associate Professor
Shelley Bradfield, Department of Communication Studies
Shelley Bradfield completed her bachelor’s degree in 1988 in communication and English at Andrews University. She completed her master’s in 1997 from Rand Afrikaans University (Johannesburg, South Africa) and received a Ph.D. in 2010 in communication and culture from Indiana University.
Randall Renstrom, Department of Psychology
Randall Renstrom completed his bachelor’s degree in 2003 in psychology and biochemistry at The Ohio State University. He completed a master’s degree in 2004 in social sciences from The University of Chicago and received a Ph.D. in 2010 in social psychology from Loyola University.
Shawn Wick, Department of Sociology/Anthropology
Shawn Wick completed his bachelor’s degree in 1998 in sociology from Loras College. He completed a master’s degree in 2004 in sociology from Illinois State University and received a Ph.D. in 2013 in sociology from the University of Minnesota.
Jay Wackerly, Department of Chemistry
Jay Wackerly completed his bachelor’s degree in 2003 in chemistry from Winona State University. He completed received a Ph.D. in 2008 in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois.
Left to right: Shelley Bradfield, Shawn Wick, Jay Wackerly, Randall Renstrom
Faculty Promotion: Professor
Nicole Kaplan, Department of Modern Languages
Nicole Kaplan completed her bachelor’s degree in 1986, a master’s degree in 1990 and her Ph.D. in 1996 in French Literature at the University of North Carolina. She started at Central College as director of the Paris Program and became an associate professor in 2006 when she was granted tenure. Nicole is currently the Kenneth J. Weller Distinguished Professorship of the Liberal Arts.
Brian Roberts, Department of Art
Brian Roberts completed his bachelor’s degree in 1992 at Central College in Art, his master’s in 1997 in art education at Iowa State University, a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture in 2001 and a Master of Fine Arts in Metals in 2002 at Miami University of Ohio. He started at Central College in 2002 and was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor of art in 2008.
Nicole Kaplan and Brian Roberts
