Saint Mary’s College Recognizes Five Faculty with Prestigious Awards
Haigwood, Hahn, Checca, Alexander, and Spencer Are Honored
May 4, 2016 (Notre Dame, Ind.) — This semester Saint Mary’s College proudly recognized five professors with prestigious faculty awards for demonstrated excellence inside and outside of the classroom and dedication to their profession and students. The Academic Affairs Council, chaired by Saint Mary’s College President Carol Ann Mooney and made up of administrators, faculty, and staff, votes on the most deserving recipients after reading through nominations. The vote results are kept secret until the honors are bestowed.
Spes Unica Award
Laura Haigwood, professor of English, was recognized with the Spes Unica Award at Honors Convocation. This award, established in 1958, recognizes a faculty member’s eminent service to Saint Mary’s College. His or her contributions can be in the areas of teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and/or service.
Haigwood is known as one of Saint Mary’s best and most serious professors, and students clamor to take at least one of her classes before graduating. Haigwood has contributed to the College in many ways for more than 25 years. She served as director of the SISTAR (Student Independent Study and Research) program, the Gender and Women’s Studies Program, and the Center for Academic Innovation. She has chaired the Department of English and the Rank and Tenure Committee and she is currently the Women’s Voices Coordinator for the Sophia Program in Liberal Learning.
Maria Pieta Award
Marianne Hahn, senior lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages, was recognized with the Maria Pieta Award at Honors Convocation. The award recognizes the quality of teaching in courses for first-year students and sophomores. The award was established in 1976 in honor of Sister Maria Pieta, CSC, who was a faculty member and administrator at Saint Mary’s College.
Fluent in four modern languages, Hahn has taught two of those languages—French and German—at Saint Mary’s for nearly 30 years. Her enthusiasm for language and culture inspires her students to study abroad, and she works hard to prepare them for this challenge. This year’s Fulbright recipient, Meghan Flanagan, said her nomination that Hahn, “has been an extraordinary role model and mentor. She is one of the main reasons that I chose Saint Mary’s College. She has shown me that hard work pays off, and that education should be cherished, as it is one of the most important gifts one can receive."
Kevin J. and Marijo Rogers Kelly ’77 Faculty Service Award
Peter Checca, senior lecturer in Italian since 1979, was recently honored with the Kevin J. and Marijo Rogers Kelly ‘77 Faculty Service Award for his role as the Rome program counselor for 37 years. As stated in the citation, “Peter encouraged and guided hundreds of students to study in Rome. His natural exuberance and gentlemanly demeanor were instrumental in the success of his endeavors. His teaching went well beyond the classroom, as students were welcomed in his office well into the early evening hours.”
Under Checca’s guidance the Rome Program saw a substantial increase in the number of students studying abroad. He handled as many as 145 applicants per year as well as assisted students with the requirements for securing visas and passports.
Carmi & Chris Murphy Faculty Award for Student Mentorship of the Senior Comprehensive
Susan Alexander, professor of sociology and gender and women's studies, has been part of the faculty since 1992. She was recently awarded the Carmi & Chris Murphy Faculty Award for Student Mentorship of the Senior Comprehensive. The award is given to an individual “whose guidance during the senior comprehensive is an invaluable contribution, providing a consistent, quality interaction with students.”
One student wrote in her nomination, “Susan’s vast experience with running the senior comprehensive clearly showed throughout the process. For example, she told us of previous students’ difficulties with coding, writing, and presenting so that we would be as prepared as possible to address these issues should they come up.”
Donald R. and Nora Barry Fischer ’73 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence
Bettina Spencer, associate professor of psychology, has been part of the faculty since 2007. She was recently awarded the Donald R. and Nora Barry Fischer ‘73 Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. She is recognized for her significant contributions to the psychology major and subject matter of her upper division courses, some of which include “Stereotyping and Prejudice” and “Psychology of Violence.”
One student said in her nomination, “I always go to Dr. Spencer for guidance in my research and preparation for graduate school because she is a reliable, trustworthy source, and I know that she will not discourage me.”
About Saint Mary's College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a Catholic, residential, women’s liberal arts college offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study, such as business, nursing, art, chemistry, and social work. Saint Mary’s College also offers two graduate degrees: a Master of Science and a Doctorate. All programs that fall under these degrees are co-educational and include a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice. Founded in 1844 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Saint Mary’s College seeks, according to its mission statement, to educate students, develop their talents, and prepare them to make a difference in the world. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2016 published by U.S. News & World Report. Follow Saint Mary's College on Twitter @saintmarys and @saintmarysnews.
Contact for News Media: Gwen O'Brien, director of integrated communications, Saint Mary's College, gobrien@saintmarys.edu (574) 284-4579.