By Matthew Pertz, News Editor
Kate Sweeney was honored as the winner of Asbury’s Excellence in Student Investment award during Monday’s chapel.
“I feel like what I do is what I’m supposed to do,” she said, “so the idea that students recognize that and say thank you is just amazing. The idea that you quietly have this voting process is humbling, and I really appreciate that you all even take time to think of faculty that way.”
Sweeney currently serves as Asbury’s producer in residence. Previously, she worked for National Geographic and served as supervising producer of the Smithsonian Channel. According to Asbury’s website, “Kate’s field experience ranges from Bangkok to Burbank, and her producing credits include a wide range of stories, from civil uprisings to wildlife docs.”
The award is completely student-driven, with two rounds of voting deciding the winner. In an email announcing the award, Student Body President Elijah Lutz said, “[It is] a recognition for faculty members who go above and beyond in their efforts of giving of their time, energy and resources to students.” Lutz is also the Chairman of the Academic & Institutional Matters Committee and handled nominations, voting and plaque arrangements.
“This award exists as a way for the student body to recognize profs or university officials who go above and beyond in investing in students,” he said. “ It’s unique in that, unlike the University giving a student award, it’s the students giving one to those who impact us the most.”
The first round consists of nominations, allowing students to recommend any professor, and from that array the five professors who receive the most student votes are declared finalists.
The other four finalists were Andy Reynolds, Trent Ellsworth, Bruce Branan and Devin Brown.
The 2017 Excellence in Student Investment Award was given to Randy Richardson, associate professor of ancient languages. The award was created in 2016, and its first recipients were Jon Roller, coordinator of the worship arts program, and Kevin Brown, assistant professor at the Dayton School of Business.
