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Professor Hal Breitenberg, Ph.D. |
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Professor Joe Mattys, M.F.A. |
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Professor Thomas Porter, Ph.D. |
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Professor Anne Throckmorton |
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President Lindgren and Brent Hoard, Webmaster |
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(l. to r.) Professors Breitenberg and Mattys, President Lindgren, Professors Porter and Throckmorton |
Randolph-Macon College held its annual Honors Convocation Ceremony on Friday, May 15, 2009 in Blackwell Auditorium, Center for the Performing Arts. Dozens of students were presented awards for their academic and co-curricular achievements and contributions to the college. Additionally, several faculty and staff members were recognized for their dedication to the college.
The Thomas Branch Award, presented by Provost William Johnston
Recipients: Dr. Thomas Porter Professor; Professor Anne Throckmorton This award was established by the college in 1969 to recognize excellence in teaching. The college received a grant of $25,000 from the Cabell Foundation as a memorial to Thomas Branch, a member of the Board of the College in 1859. The income from this gift is to be used for the purpose of supplementing the salary of a faculty member in the hope of attracting and retaining faculty of distinguished ability and integrity. The Committee on the Faculty recommended that annual awards be granted by vote of a select panel of students; these are student members of Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Honors Program.
Dr. Thomas Porter (professor of history) joined the faculty at Randolph-Macon College in 1974. He earned a B.A. in European history from Northern Illinois University, a M.A. in British history from Northern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in history (Nineteenth Century Britain, Modern China, Modern Europe) from Northern Illinois University.
Porter, the chair of the Department of History, has received numerous awards during his tenure at R-MC, including three Walter W. Craigie Grants (1993, 1995 and 1999); a Mednick Memorial Fellowship; a State Council on Higher Education in Virginia Funds for Excellence Grant, a Rashkind Endowment Grant for sabbatical research; a Fulbright Summer Seminar Abroad grant; the 1985 Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award and the United Methodist Church Exemplary Teaching Award in 2000.
“Professor Porter is a leader—his service and dedication as history department chair has long been recognized for the outstanding contributions he has made to the college—in thinking about the curriculum, in developing and mentoring young faculty members and in working in committee and administrative roles to benefit the faculty and students at Randolph-Macon,” said Johnston.
Professor Anne Throckmorton (visiting instructor of history) joined the faculty at Randolph-Macon College in 2008. Throckmorton earned a B.A. in communications and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, a M.A. in mass communication from Emerson College and a M.A. in history from the University of Virginia. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in history at the University of Virginia.
“Professor Throckmorton is a great citizen who has quickly established a positive rapport and reputation with our students,” said Johnston. “She is enthusiastic in the classroom, interested in providing a supportive and engaging atmosphere and producing positive engagement that is infectious to all of our students.”
The Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Professor Award, presented by President Robert R. Lindgren
Recipient: Professor Joe Mattys This award was established by Mrs. Virginia Clark Gray in memory of her husband, an alumnus and former trustee of Randolph-Macon College. Although called the Distinguished Professor Award, this prize was established to honor the faculty member or senior administrator selected by the President as the person who has made a distinguished contribution to the College.
Professor Joe Mattys, (professor of theatre) joined the faculty at Randolph-Macon in 1990. He earned a B.A. from Colorado College, a M.A. from Illinois State University and a M.F.A. from the University of Virginia. Mattys currently serves as chair of the Department of Arts and has directed dozens of theatre productions at R-MC.
“During his impressive career at R-MC, Professor Mattys has created a drama major where none existed before and been involved, in one capacity or another, in a multitude of productions, helping the theater department flourish, generating a positive image of the College and entertaining us in the process,” said Lindgren. “He has been the inspiration and role model for both budding thespians and for students who simply enjoy drama as a creative outlet or extra-curricular activity.”
The United Methodist Church Exemplary Teacher Award, presented by President Robert R. Lindgren
Recipient: Dr. Hal Breitenberg Jr.
The Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, jointly with the College, recognizes the professor who exemplifies teaching excellence, civility, concern for students and colleagues, commitment to value-centered education, and service to students, the institution, the community or church.
Dr. Hal Breitenberg Jr. (assistant professor of religious studies) joined the faculty at Randolph-Macon College in 2005. He earned his B.A. in religion and music from the College of William and Mary, his M.M. in music composition from the Catholic University of America, his M.Div. from the Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and his Ph.D. from the Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education. In 2008, Breitenberg was awarded the Thomas Branch Award for Excellence in Teaching as well as the Walter Williams Craigie Teaching Endowment.
“Professor Breitenberg is a dedicated and effective teacher who, in his quiet way, has helped to perpetuate the quality and value of the department that he chairs,” said Lindgren. “He is a master teacher, scholar, mentor, valued colleague and quiet leader of one of our most historic and valued departments.”
Marilyn J. Gibbs Dedicated Service Award, presented by John Conkright, executive assistant to the president
Recipient: Brent Hoard, R-MC Webmaster
New this year, this award was created by a generous gift from former Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, Dr. Steven Nape and his wife Diane. This award will be given annually to a member of the Randolph-Macon College staff for outstanding service to and support of the mission of the college. The award is named in honor of Dr. Marilyn J. Gibbs, whose 18 years of dedicated service to the college as assistant professor of sociology and then registrar exemplified the highest ideals embodied in the college’s mission.
Brent Hoard joined the staff at Randolph-Macon College in October 2004, after working for the college as a contractor. Hoard earned a B.S. degree in technical communication from Mercer University’s School of Engineering in Macon, Georgia.
As Webmaster at Randolph-Macon, Brent is responsible for the management and upkeep of the R-MC Web site, which was completely restructured and redesigned in December of 2007 and subsequently launched in a dynamic Web content management system. Hoard says that he values the interaction with R-MC students, faculty and staff that his job provides, and he enjoys assisting all organizations, offices and departments with improving and expanding their Web sites and Web communication efforts. Additionally, Hoard mentors a staff of knowledgeable student Web assistants—a function of his job that he values greatly—assisting these students in the acquisition of practical work experience and knowledge that often leads them into careers within the field of Web development.
“Brent Hoard is held in high regard for possessing an outstanding set of skills,” said Conkright. “The demand for his services and assistance is heavy, yet even in the midst of the most intense and challenging times, one is always assured to be treated fairly and with respect and kindness. Brent’s gentle and calm demeanor makes him approachable and just as important, an excellent teacher and mentor to our students.”