Waynesburg University honored three faculty members Tuesday, March 24, with the 2026 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during the annual Charter Day celebration in Roberts Chapel.
This year’s Charter Day commemorated the 176th anniversary of Waynesburg University’s charter by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards are awarded annually to full-time and part-time faculty members who are nominated by students, faculty members, staff members, or Waynesburg University alumni. The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust, which has established an endowed fund for the awards, is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950. Award recipients receive a plaque and a monetary gift in recognition of their teaching excellence.
The Lucas-Hathaway Awards recognize faculty in three categories: Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty, Excellence in Introductory Subjects and Extended History of Teaching Excellence.
Provost Mindy Walls presented the awards during the service.
Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty
Melissa Wood, certification officer and field placement coordinator, received the Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty Award, which is presented to a non-full-time faculty member of Waynesburg University who teaches on campus or online.
Nominations for Wood cited her deep care and concern for her students’ personal and academic wellbeing and praised her for going “above and beyond for every student.” One nomination stated Wood “is not only an excellent educator, but also a full-time caring and compassionate person who models the mission of Waynesburg University.”
Another nomination commented on her helpful feedback and stated that she “makes us feel proud about our work or corrects us with gentleness.”
Wood earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership from Waynesburg University.
Excellence in Introductory Subjects
Dr. Kelley Solomon received the Excellence in Introductory Subjects Award, which is presented to a faculty member with proficiency in teaching introductory courses. Dr. Solomon serves as a professor of education, chair for the Department of Education and director of the Master of Education program.
“Dr. Kelley Solomon doesn’t just help her students, she provides,” stated one nomination. “Dr. Solomon is not only an educator, but a fierce advocate who recognizes the individual needs of her students and works tirelessly to meet them. Her patience, empathy, and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on the lives of those she teaches. She leads with her heart, models integrity and kindness, and inspires her students to believe in themselves even when they struggle to do so.”
Dr. Solomon earned her Bachelor of Arts and her Master of Arts from West Virginia University. Before her career in higher education, Dr. Solomon spent 17 years in public education teaching English/Language Arts. She earned her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Adolescent Literacy from West Virginia University. She is the author of “Listening to Students’ Voices about Young Adult Literature: A Phenomenological Approach.”
As Professor of Education, Dr. Solomon’s areas of expertise include curriculum, educational psychology, methodology, adolescent literacy, and pre-service teacher supervision.
Extended History of Teaching Excellence
Dr. Jennifer Roy, associate professor of business administration and chair for the Department of Business Administration, received the Extended History of Teaching Excellence Award, which is presented to a faculty member who has exhibited a history of excellence in teaching.
Nominations praised her ability to gracefully “wear many hats” in her roles across campus, including as Faculty Athletic Representative, department chair and full-time faculty member.
“The students know her classes as tough, but she does this with care for the students, and with their preparation for life as a driving force in her course preparation. She is meticulous in the design and delivery of her courses,” one nomination read.
Dr. Roy earned her Bachelor of Arts from Boston University, her Master of Business Administration from Queens University of Charlotte, and her Ph.D. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Click here to read more about this year's Charter Day celebration.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
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