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College notebook: Faculty awards at Eckerd and recognition for SPC's work in closing achievement gaps

 
Eckerd Dean of Faculty Suzan Harrison, center, presented music professor Joan O. Epstein, left, and physics professor Stephen P. Weppner, right, with awards for leadership during the annual faculty awards reception Sept. 19.
Eckerd Dean of Faculty Suzan Harrison, center, presented music professor Joan O. Epstein, left, and physics professor Stephen P. Weppner, right, with awards for leadership during the annual faculty awards reception Sept. 19.
Published Sept. 24, 2015

Two Eckerd faculty members honored for teaching excellence

Two Eckerd College faculty members were recognized for leadership during the annual faculty awards reception on Saturday. Physics professor Stephen P. Weppner received the John M. Bevan Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award. Music professor Joan O. Epstein received the Grover C. Wrenn Award for Leadership and Service to General Education. The Bevan award is named for Eckerd's founding academic dean, and it honors faculty who nurture a climate that fosters teaching at its best. The Wrenn award, named for a founding alumnus and longtime trustee, recognizes faculty who display a range of qualities, including "a wholesome and critical enthusiasm for inquiry and reflection that will extend beyond the period of formal education." Dean of Faculty Suzan Harrison presented the awards, and Eckerd president Don Eastman called them "two of the highest distinctions this institution offers."

Group rewards SPC's efforts to close gaps

St. Petersburg College has been recognized as a "leader college" by Achieving the Dream, a national nonprofit focused on helping community college students. The designation is awarded to colleges that commit to improving student success and closing achievement gaps. From Fall 2011 to Fall 2013, SPC saw an increase of 8 percentage points in success rates (identified as an A, B or C grade) for first-time-in-college African-American students in all enrolled courses, while Hispanic students increased 9.1 percentage points. The school also reported increases in student persistence rates. SPC was the only college in Florida selected to receive the leader college designation this year. "The commitment — and success — that we have seen on behalf of our students reflects the real excellence of our faculty and staff," said SPC president Bill Law.

Event offers students a chance at internships

Three organizations — CareerSource Pinellas, CareerSource Tampa Bay and TampaBayIntern — will present an intern hiring event from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at St. Petersburg College's EpiCenter, 13805 58th St. N in Largo. The event will allow students to showcase their skills and education to some of the Tampa Bay area's top employers, with an opportunity to gain an internship. For more information, contact Jemelle Wilds at wildsj@careersourcetampabay.com.