Three Southwestern Professors Honored for Teaching Excellence

May 9, 2000

Vicente Villa, professor of biology and holder of the prestigious University Brown Chair at Southwestern, was recently awarded the William Carrington Finch Award at Southwestern's 2000 Commencement Convocation.

The award recognizes excellence in teaching, research, community service and furthering the aims of Southwestern University. It is named for William Carrington Finch, a member of the Southwestern faculty from 1941 to 1950, who served as its 11th president from 1950 to 1961.

Villa was chosen by Southwestern President Roy B. Shilling, Jr., from nominees provided by a committee of faculty, students and administrators. Villa will carry the title, William Carrington Finch Professor, until the next award is made to a faculty member in the year 2002.

During his 15 years at Southwestern, Villa has been recognized as the 1993 U.S. Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the 1996 winner of the Carski Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award by the American Society for Microbiology, and the 1998 Outstanding Educator Award by The United Methodist Foundation for Christian Higher Learning.

Two other faculty members were recognized with Southwestern University Teaching Awards for outstanding performance in the classroom. Helene Meyers, associate professor of English, won the award for a tenured professor, while Shannon Winnubst, assistant professor of religion and philosophy and chair of women's studies, won the award for a non-tenured professor.

Created by the Southwestern faculty in 1998, the awards are designed to reward quality teaching. The Honorary Degrees Committee chooses recipients of these awards each year from nominees provided by students. The awards were presented at Commencement to Meyers and Winnubst by the graduating students who submitted their nominations.

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