Three Tyler Junior College professors have distinguished themselves as endowed teaching chairs for 2016.
The TJC Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence program enables professors to nominate and reward their peers who demonstrate excellence as educators.
This year’s recipients are:
- Chris Chappa, mathematics professor and department chair, “The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence”
- Ginger Christiansen, associate degree nursing professor, “The Watson W. Wise Foundation Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence”
- David McClendon, government professor, “The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence”
Chris Chappa
Ginger Christiansen
David McClendon
Winners were surprised during their respective classes with a fanfare of applause and balloons, followed by presentations of certificates and checks from TJC President Dr. Mike Metke and Dr. Juan Mejia, TJC provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.
“I wish to congratulate this year’s recipients and thank the TJC Faculty Senate and its selection committee for their focus on identifying teaching excellence,” Mejia said. “They are truly among the finest educators in the country.”
Endowed teaching chair recipients receive $2,000 for each of two years ($4,000 total), which includes a $1,500 cash stipend and $500 for professional development for each year. The professional development portion may be applied toward a personal professional development plan, including travel, books, conferences and equipment.
Eleven full-time TJC professors were nominated by their peers to apply for the award. Of the 11 nominees, six professors chose to undergo the intense application process.
Those six nominees were: David Alger, game and simulation development; Chris Chappa, mathematics; Ginger Christiansen, associate degree nursing; Amber LeBarron, associate degree nursing; David McClendon, government; and Derrick White, art.
Each received a certificate of recognition and a nomination from TJC to be recognized at the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) annual conference in May in Austin.
Since the program’s inception in 1990, 74 professors have been designated as distinguished TJC endowed chairs.