Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship
Each year, an award is presented to a current Elizabethtown College faculty member to commend and celebrate excellence in advising and mentoring students toward successful graduate school placement and/or careers. The Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship, which has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby, is named in honor of Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus, for his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Dana Maulfair, Assistant to the Associate Provosts at 717-361-3734 or maulfaird@etown.edu.
2024 - 2025 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship Recipient
Conrad Kanagy
The 2024-25 recipient of the Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship is Dr. Conrad Kanagy, Professor of Sociology.
The selection committee noted Dr. Kanagy’s commitment to his students’ success through outstanding mentorship and advising. Student nominators provided highly descriptive letters that noted his service as a positive role model who readily fostered a sense of belonging, both in and out of the classroom. His students consistently praised his ability to recognize their potential, provide personalized guidance, and create an inclusive and inspiring learning environment where they felt valued, challenged, and encouraged to succeed.
Dr. Kanagy will be honored prior to the Ranck Lecture during Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) on Tuesday, April 22. More details to follow.
Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising & Mentorship (past recipients)
- 2023-24 - Debra Wohl
- 2022-23 - Jane Cavender
- 2021-22 - Jeff Rood
- 2020-21 - Hossein Varamini
- 2019-20 - Bryan Greenberg
- 2018-19 - Anya Goldina
Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence
Through the generosity of Thomas Conner ’72, professor of history at Hillsdale College, the annual award is made possible and awarded to a current Elizabethtown College faculty member for excellence in teaching and mentoring. The award is named in honor of J. Kenneth Kreider, professor of history emeritus, and Carroll L. Kreider, professor of business emerita, “for their inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.” The Kreiders were not only inspirational in the classroom but also were powerful mentors and role models.
The faculty Professional Development Committee (PDC) and a representative group of current students will choose the recipient of the Kreider Prize from the list of faculty members who were nominated by at least three of the following constituencies: alumni, current students, faculty, and administrators/staff. Members of the PDC may be nominated, but they will not be eligible for the award until their service on the committee has ended. You are welcomed to encourage members of other constituencies in the Elizabethtown College community to support the faculty member you have nominated. The recipient of the Kreider Prize will be announced mid-April.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Dana Maulfair, Assistant to the Associate Provosts at 717-361-3734 or maulfaird@etown.edu.
2024 - 2025 Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence Recipient
Suzanne Webster
The 2024-2025 recipient of the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence is Suzanne Webster, Professor of English (Ralph W. Schlosser Endowed Chair) and Director of the English Literature Program.
The Professional Development Committee chose Webster from nominations submitted by alumni, current students, faculty, and staff. In addition to receiving a monetary award, she will be invited to deliver the Kreider Prize Lecture this fall. More details to follow.
“The Professional Development Committee is pleased to select Dr. Suzanne E. Webster for the 2024-25 Kreider Prize,” Associate Provost for Student Learning and Dean of Faculty Jodi Lancaster said. “Students who nominated Webster noted her provision of extensive feedback on their written work, which built their confidence and improved their writing."
Nomination letters emphasized Webster's ability to foster an engaging, intellectually rigorous classroom environment, where her infectious enthusiasm for literature, deep subject expertise, and dedication to student success inspired confidence, critical thinking, and a lifelong passion for learning.
Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence (past recipients)
- 2023-24 - Elizabeth Dalton
- 2022-23 - Brenda Read-Daily
- 2021-22 - Michael Roy
- 2020-21 - Judy Beck Ericksen ’80
- 2019-20 - E. Fletcher McClellan
- 2018-19 - Michele Kozimor ’93
- 2017-18 - Kurt DeGoede
- 2016-17 - J. Robert Spence
- 2015-16 - Edward Chung
- 2014-15 - Oya Ozkanca
Ranck Prize for Research Excellence
Robert O. Kerr ’64 and Mary Ann Kerr '64 established the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence as a permanent endowment to award a full-time faculty member of Elizabethtown College and to commend and celebrate excellence in research and commitment to his or her field of study. The prize honors John P. Ranck ’58, faculty member emeritus and former chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, for "his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College."
Nominations may come from the candidate or from others (academics from the nominee’s field). Consistent with the Boyer model of scholarship, research is considered in the broadest context of understanding and includes peer-reviewed work in the areas of scholarship of discovery, the scholarship of integration, the scholarship of application/engagement, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. As such, “research” may be taken to include any of the following: publication or presentation of papers; publication of books and other scholarly material; exhibitions of art, theatrical or musical performances; and other items appropriate to the discipline.
2024 - 2025 Ranck Prize for Research Excellence Recipient
Cristina Ciocirlan
The 2024-2025 recipient of the Ranck Prize for Research Excellence is Dr. Cristina Ciocirlan, Associate Professor of Management. The Professional Development Committee chose Ciocirlan from nominations submitted by faculty peers. In addition to receiving a monetary award and a supplement to her professional development fund to support ongoing scholarly activity.
Dr. Ciocirlan is commended for her outstanding contribution to her field and collaborative research. Most notably, she is recognized for both the quantity and quality of her scholarly work in the broad field of social responsibility in business. Recent contributions include book publications through the journal "Organization & Environment," the "Journal of Cleaner Production," and the "European Management Review," and a book chapter to "Green Human Resource Management: Introduction and Overview." Her interdisciplinary scholarly work has had a significant impact on the field. Likewise, the committee also recognizes the prestige of Dr. Ciocirlan's 2015 Fulbright Scholarship award at Durham University, in the United Kingdom.
Ranck Prize for Research Excellence (past recipients)
- 2023-24 - Michael Silberstein
- 2022-23 - James MacKay
- 2021-22 - Oya Dursun-Özkanca
- 2020-21 - Jeffery Long
- 2019-20 - Susan Mapp
- 2018-19 - E. Douglas Bomberger
- 2017-18 - April Kelly
Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service
The Schmidt Prize was created to honor an inspiring faculty member who demonstrates the importance of student-faculty experiences through the embodiment of our Educate for Service motto. This prize was made possible through the generosity of alumna Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and will celebrate a faculty member creating meaningful and purposeful student experiences through service (i.e. community-based learning, research-intensive courses, field/internship oversight, etc.) that create pathways and preparation for the real world. The recipient of the Schmidt Prize embraces the teacher-scholar model by engaging students as partners in advancing their scholarly research agendas and preparing students well for successful careers.
If your nominee did not receive the award in this cycle, please note that your nomination will be considered for two additional years. The award includes significant Professional Development Funds and money to support ongoing student experiences. The winner will be announced in mid-March.
Questions about the nomination process may be directed to Dana Maulfair, Assistant to the Associate Provosts at 717-361-3734 or maulfaird@etown.edu.
2024 - 2025 Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service Recipient
Dr. Kurt DeGoede
The 2024-25 recipient of the inaugural Schmidt Prize for Excellence in Student-Faculty Service is Dr. Kurt DeGoede, Professor of Engineering. The Professional Development Committee chose DeGoede from nominations submitted by students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The award includes significant professional development funds and money to support ongoing student experiences. DeGoede will be recognized prior to the Ranck Lecture during Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) on Tuesday, April 22.
The selection committee commended DeGoede for embodying the College's Educate for Service motto by developing student-faculty experiences that create pathways and preparation for successful careers. His dedication to service, particularly through his impactful work in The Gambia, has not only fostered deep global connections but also provided students with transformative learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom, equipping them with cultural understanding, professional skills, and a commitment to meaningful engagement.