During the spring 2024 semester, four professors were recognized for teaching excellence: Jewish Studies Chair and Interdisciplinary Studies Prof. Stephen Jay Stern, Management Prof. Alice Brawley Newlin, Mathematics Prof. Benjamin Bartlett Kennedy, and Health Sciences Prof. Megan Benka-Coker ’09.
Stern was recognized with the Dr. Robert E. Dutton, Class of 1946 Memorial Mentorship Award, Brawley Newlin was honored with the Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award, Kennedy earned the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning Excellence in Teaching Award, and Benka-Coker was presented with the Faculty Award for Community-Based Engagement.
As teachers and scholars, each of these professors exemplify the first-class faculty at Gettysburg College who share their expert knowledge and creative passions with their students, making a profound impact on them inside and outside the classroom. Read about each of the recipients below.
Dr. Robert E. Dutton, Class of 1946 Memorial Mentorship Award
Jewish Studies Chair Stephen Jay Stern
Jewish Studies Chair and Interdisciplinary Studies Prof. Stephen Jay Stern accepted the Dr. Robert E. Dutton, Class of 1946 Memorial Mentorship Award, which is presented to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in advising and mentoring students. With an academic focus on European philosophy and Jewish studies, Stern encourages his students to challenge their assumptions, hear new perspectives, and engage in productive dialogue. He is the founder of Gettysburg College Hillel, Jewish Studies, and co-founder of Phoenix Rising, a support club for neurodivergent students. Stern is the author of three books, co-authored two books, and writes a monthly column for the Times of Israel.
“I am surprised and honored to receive this award,” said Stern. “Working with students is my calling. I love them and this job!”
Learn more about the Dr. Robert E. Dutton, Class of 1946 Memorial Mentorship Award.
Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award
Management Prof. Alice Brawley Newlin
Management Prof. Alice Brawley Newlin received the Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award, which recognizes a faculty member who joined Gettysburg College within the past several years and whose teaching is applauded by faculty colleagues as outstanding. Joining Gettysburg in 2017 with degrees in industrial-organizational psychology, Brawley Newlin focuses her teaching and research on the gig economy, as well as statistical and methodological issues. Passionate about the open access movement, where textbooks and course materials are redesigned so they are free to all students, her open access work has been supported by several grants and awards.
“I enjoy creating class sessions and environments where students are actively engaged and building critical thinking skills while they learn a new topic,” Brawley Newlin said. “But, my favorite experiences with students are those ‘lightbulb’ moments—where a student sees how the class material is directly relevant to their life, even beyond their academic experience. I’m honored to receive this year’s Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award. Thank you to my colleagues and students for their continuous support and inspiration in my teaching at Gettysburg.”
Learn more about the Luther W. and Bernice L. Thompson Distinguished Teaching Award.
Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning Excellence in Teaching Award
Mathematics Prof. Benjamin Bartlett Kennedy
Mathematics Prof. Benjamin Bartlett Kennedy received the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning (JCCTL) Excellence in Teaching Award, which is awarded to an exceptional faculty member based on their quadrennial review in which their teaching excellence stands apart among the work of their colleagues. Kennedy came to Gettysburg in the fall of 2007 after completing his Ph.D. at Rutgers University. His research interest is in dynamical systems, primarily feedback systems with time delays, publishing several works on the topic.
“I have felt tremendously lucky to have been able to teach a wide variety of courses, both related and unrelated to my areas of greatest expertise,” Kennedy said. “In all my teaching, my main goal is to help students engage with mathematics in a productive and fulfilling way. I appreciate the support I’ve had from my colleagues as I have experimented with different topics and methods in my courses, and I am grateful to the students who have struggled along with me to understand some of the most beautiful ideas we have. I am humbled and grateful to have received this award.”
Learn more about the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning Excellence in Teaching Award.
Faculty Award for Community-Based Engagement
Health Sciences Prof. Megan Benka-Coker ’09
Health Sciences Prof. Megan Benka-Coker ’09 received the Faculty Award for Community-Based Engagement, presented by Center for Public Service Director Jeffrey Rioux. This honor is presented to a member of the Gettysburg College faculty who has engaged students in community-based work for social justice in a meaningful and transformative way. Nominated by one of her students who grew through the experience, Benka-Coker was recognized for her “Air Pollution and Health” course in the fall of 2023 in which her students collaborated with fourth-grade students at Vida Charter School as “citizen scientists,” learning alongside one another about air pollution and the impacts on health, especially the impacts on children. Benka Coker’s work focuses on household air pollution and the health impacts of exposure to biomass burning.
“I am honored to receive the Faculty Award for Community-Based Engagement,” said Benka-Coker, who majored in health sciences and globalization studies and later received advanced degrees in public and environmental health. “As a former student at Gettysburg College, the impact of community-based experiences with the Center for Public Service had a profound impact on my personal and professional life. Working with communities is an integral part of public health and my research, and I am excited that Gettysburg College students and Vida Charter School were able to partner on this collaboration. I am looking forward to continuing to work in the community and fostering learning and dialogue with college students and community members.”
Learn more about community-based learning opportunities at Gettysburg College.
By Megan Miller
Posted: 07/16/24