Being innovative in their approach to teaching and dedicated to helping their students pursue meaningful work are hallmarks of Gettysburg College faculty. Each day, Gettysburg professors serve as changemakers, inspiring students to seek knowledge and preparing them to lead lives of meaning and consequence.
On Friday, Oct. 28, two faculty members were recognized for teaching excellence during the annual Fall Honors Day at Christ Chapel. Public Policy Chair Anne S. Douds was named the 2022 recipient of The Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Endowed Teaching Award. Environmental Studies Chair Salma Monani was named the 2022 recipient of the Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize.
Read more about this year’s awards recipients.
The Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Endowed Teaching Award
Public Policy Prof. Anne S. Douds
Public Policy Prof. Anne S. Douds is the chair of the public policy department and serves as faculty lead for The Eisenhower Institute’s Women and Leadership and Eisenhower Scholars programs. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Duke University, her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, and her Ph.D. from George Mason University.
Douds is a retired trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience in litigation and policy consulting. Her recent research and consulting work have included justice systems evaluations, victims’ rights analysis, and systems analysis of social support programs.
Douds’ favorite research projects involve students in community-based initiatives. She loves to see students grow in their research confidence and abilities while working with community partners to solve problems in local justice and social services systems.
“Given how many amazing faculty members we have here at Gettysburg College, I am quite humbled to be honored in this way,” Douds said. “This recognition energizes me and inspires me to find even more ways to engage with students and help them pursue their passions throughout their college careers.”
About The Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Endowed Teaching Award
The Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Endowed Teaching Award, previously the Student Senate Faculty Appreciation Award, is presented annually during Fall Honors Day to a full-time faculty member who exhibits excellence in teaching. The Student Senate selects the recipient of this award. This award is named in honor of Biology Prof. Emeritus Ralph Cavaliere, who taught at Gettysburg College for nearly 45 years.
Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize
Environmental Studies Prof. Salma Monani
Environmental Studies Prof. Salma Monani explores the interconnections between culture and nature and how cultural media shape—and are shaped by—environmental issues. Through her research and teaching, Monani illustrates the interdisciplinarity necessary to solve environmental issues by examining film, literature, history, and communication.
In addition to serving as chair of the environmental studies department, Monani is a faculty affiliate of the cinema and media studies and peace and justice studies programs at Gettysburg College. She’s also a founding member of the College’s Land Acknowledgment Statement Committee and, along with Environmental Studies Prof. Monica Ogra, advises the Farm House and G.E.C.O. (the Gettysburg Environmental Concerns Org).
In 2015, the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society in Munich, Germany, awarded Monani a research fellowship. From 2017 to 2018, she served as visiting scholar at the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Colorado–Boulder.
“I am so humbled that my colleagues and students have honored me with this award,” Monani said. “As anyone who does DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) education knows, the work is ongoing and requires constant evaluation and emotional intelligence. It is very meaningful to me that this work matters and has been of value to others.”
About the Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize
Established by Bruce S. Gordon ’68 along with fellow classmates, friends, and supporters, the Bruce S. Gordon ’68 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching Excellence Prize recognizes a Gettysburg College faculty member for transformational excellence in teaching and service through diversity. Each August, a call for nominations is sent to faculty, staff, and students. The provost and academic divisions, in collaboration with the chief diversity officer, select the recipient of the award from the pool of nominations.
About Fall Honors Day
Fall Honors Day celebrates the accomplishments of Gettysburg College students and faculty. During the annual Fall Honors Day ceremony, more than 60 awards are presented to students to recognize their academic, leadership, and athletic achievements. Many of the awards were established more than 100 years ago in honor of or by Gettysburgians whose legacy is celebrated each year.
Learn more about Gettysburg College faculty awards and award recipients.
By Michael Vyskocil
Photos by Miranda Harple and Shawna Sherrell
Posted: 11/03/22
