2017 – McLain-McTurnan-Arnold Excellence in Teaching Award Winner:
Michelle Pittard
Each year, the Dean of the College selects one member of the faculty to receive the McLain-McTurnan-Arnold Excellence in Teaching Award. The award honors the memories of Reid H. McLain ’27, Clair McTurnan ’10, and Kent Arnold ’29, and has been given annually to a member of the faculty who has distinguished him or herself by innovative and engaging teaching since 1965. A list of past winners of the award is available here.
Citation by Dean Scott Feller: Dr. Michelle Pittard’s impact on the campus is not limited to the classroom or office hours. She supports our students in all their endeavors, support that continues after they graduate as they go on impact the lives of their own students. It is fair to say that this year’s winner touches the lives of every Wabash student through her tireless commitment to our all-college courses. As a faculty leader she strengthens the college in important ways.
I went back to listen to a Chapel Talk from our winner last year. I am always amazed by my colleagues who craft powerful messages to share with our community. But her message that day, on the many dimensions of family, was particularly powerful. Families are very important to our winner. At work, she considers Wabash her family and at home her family includes her own children who are college students. In fact, one of her children attends that school 30 miles to the south and plays on the baseball team that will be visiting us on Saturday. It is my hope that the MMA award is the only thing a member of her family wins at Wabash this week.
