Waynesburg University honored three faculty members with the 2023 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during the annual Charter Day celebration Tuesday, March 21, in Roberts Chapel.
The Lucas-Hathaway Awards recognize faculty in three categories: Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty, Excellence in Introductory Subjects and History of Teaching Excellence.
“We are grateful to the Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust for providing the opportunity for us to recognize outstanding faculty members every year,” said Provost Dr. Dana Cook Baer. “The three faculty members who were selected this year are talented instructors, compassionate advisors, supportive mentors and excellent role models. They represent the many faculty and staff members at Waynesburg University who use the gifts they have received for the purpose of serving God and others.”
Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty
Douglas Wilson, part-time lecturer of communication, received the 2023 Excellence in Teaching by Part-time Faculty Award, which recognizes a non-full-time faculty member who teaches at any Waynesburg University site or online.
Introduced as a faculty member who “brings down the barriers of the classroom,” nominations for Wilson focused on his ability to create a community-based learning environment for students that makes them feel valued and heard.
Within her introduction, Dr. Baer described Wilson as “integral to the success of the Department of Communication for many years in the classroom and as the faculty advisor for the University radio station.”
Wilson earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Waynesburg College.
In addition to teaching part-time at the University, Wilson works full-time as the station operations manager at WANB Radio in Waynesburg, and serves as the on-air morning host “Crazy Dougie” and Sunday evening host of the “Greene County Gold” oldies music show.
Excellence in Introductory Subjects
Dr. Tracy Dohn Cummins, assistant professor of biology, received the 2023 Excellence in Introductory Subjects Award.
She was presented as a faculty member who reminds her students that the principles learned within their introductory coursework provides the educational foundation for upper-level courses.
One nomination described Dr. Cummins as a “warm and supportive classroom instructor” who “embeds study skills instruction into her courses to ‘teach students how to learn’” rather than memorize content.
Another nomination shared she has a “reputation among students for being approachable, empathetic and effective in helping… students navigate difficult situations and overcome obstacles to achieve their academic and career goals.”
Dr. Cummins earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Wittenberg University and her Ph.D. in molecular and developmental biology from the University of Cincinnati.
History of Teaching Excellence
Dr. Bradley Davis, associate professor of chemistry, received the 2023 History of Teaching Excellence Award.
Nominations for Dr. Davis described him as an inspirational faculty member who “fosters curiosity” and challenges students to become better “thinkers.”
Alumni shared within nominations that Dr. Davis remains invested in their futures by “checking on their progress, providing research resources, making professional connections, and sharing opportunities for grants and awards.”
One student shared within their nomination that Dr. Davis’s teaching and mentoring “has changed the course of my life more than I ever thought it would, and for that, I will be forever grateful.”
Dr. Davis earned his Bachelor of Science in forensic chemistry from Waynesburg University and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Pennsylvania State University.
About the Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust
The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust has established an endowed fund that provides two annual teaching excellence awards for full-time faculty members and one award for a part-time faculty member. Faculty members were nominated by students, faculty or alumni. Each recipient will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,200 award. The Trust is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950.
