Teaching Excellence Awards Winners: 2005 (1-14-06)
Sharing knowledge on teaching and learning with a Christian perspective

Dr. Bob Couch started teaching for SWU at the Columbia campus in 1991. He teaches for both the education and business programs. His students said:

• He conveys the positive attitude and encouragement to get the job done.
• He gives insight into what to expect in the real world.
• He has great patience and was willing to spend as much time as necessary to assist.
• He has the Christian leadership that every instructor should have.

Since 2000, DeAnna Risher has taught management courses for SWU at both the Columbia and North Augusta campuses. Her students’ comments were:

• She is encouraging and very understanding.
• She is a disciplinarian but very compassionate.
• She has the ability to relate points of the lesson in a manner that applies to the personal lives of students.
• She explained the expectations of each student.
• She started her classes with devotions and prayers.

DeAnna was not able to attend the ceremony due to a prior commitment.

David Entrekin has been teaching Economics for SWU since 2002. He teaches at the Central, Greenville, North Augusta, and Columbia campuses. The students said:

• He was an excellent leader with a Christian Spirit.
• He broke down the material into sections that we could understand.
• He was extremely passionate about the subject and his enthusiasm filled the class.

Trent Bates has been teaching management, research and statistic courses for SWU since 2002. He teaches at both the Central and Greenville campuses. His students stated:

• He’s dedicated and available and even came to study group meetings.
• He is a strong Christian and brings that to the class room.
• He helped me in classes even when he wasn’t my instructor.

Dr. Keith East started teaching in the Masters of Education program for SWU in 2003. He teaches at both the Central and Greenville campuses. His students said:

• He is a conscientious, thorough, and compassionate instructor.
• He was always well prepared.
• He teaches with humility, encouragement and passion.
  

Dr. Don ‘Soso’ Beard started teaching for SWU in 2003. He teaches psychology and management courses at the Columbia and North Augusta campuses. His students said:

• He is a fine example of a real spiritual leader.
• I learned so much about making decisions, reaching goals and exploring options.
• His wisdom is beyond measure and his enthusiasm was experienced by the entire class.
• He was the ram in the bush and for that I will be forever grateful.

Suzanne Holcombe has been teaching Math for SWU since 2002. She teaches at both the Central and Greenville campuses. Her students commented:

• She follows each rule to the letter no matter who is involved – perfect example of what SWU tries to accomplish.
• She demonstrates Christian leadership and caring attitude makes each student feel her desire for all of us to succeed.
• After being in the SWU program 3 years she left the greatest impression.
  

James Blackwood has been teaching Bible, Religion and History courses for SWU since 1993. He teaches at the Central, Greenville, and Columbia campuses. The students said.

• He influenced me to learn more.
• He made the class think.
• He incorporated spiritual wisdom and leadership in his lectures.
• He impacted me to study the Bible more because of his lectures.

Kim Welborn has taught English for SWU since 1998. She teaches at the Central and Greenville campuses. Her students stated:

• She made me want to learn.
• She knew subject inside and out.
• She always came in with a smile and a positive attitude.
• She was instrumental in building confidence and encouraging students.

Congratulations to these nine very deserving winners and to all AGS facilitators. You are all WINNERS!

Teaching Excellence Awards Winners: 2004 (1-22-05)

How determined–

from student nominations
over 230 instructors taught courses for AGS in 2004

Martha Butts – NA – English – 2001 – could not attend

• She showed great compassion for her students and was a confidence builder.
• She had great wisdom and enthusiasm.

Sandra Caudill – CO – management & seminar – 2000 – could not attend

• spiritual leadership and wisdom that she portrayed and shared with class
• she encouraged us to stay on course with our goals

Howard Foster – GR – Bible & religion - 2003

• taught our class with leadership and intense understanding of subject
• went the extra mile to encourage us with his enthusiasm and relentless requests for only the best

Sally Lorbach – CE – management - 2003

• Dr. Lorbach encouraged me to aspire to further in my educational goals.
• She had an outstanding Christian influence and showed spiritual leadership.
• She went the extra mile by offering assistance outside the classroom, was enthusiastic about teaching and was even the peacekeeper in our class.

Max Monroe – CE – instructional technology (education) - 2003

• Max did more for our class by giving classroom application information.
• He had a passion for teaching.
• I will be a better teacher because of his work with us.

Frank Plumley – NA – management – 2000 – could not attend

• Mr. Plumley has provided exceptional leadership, stretched our abilities and offered extra assistance.

Karen Sparkman – CE – education – 2003 – could not attend

• Dr. Sparkman was very personable, knowledgeable, and organized.
• She was quick to help the students achieve their goals and encourage us and push us beyond our abilities.

Ralph (Rafe) Spraker – CO – math and physical science – 1993 – could not attend

• Rafe went the extra mile for each student. He demonstrated very good leadership qualities. He was familiar with his subject and what was expected from his students.

Dave Watts – GR – total quality management - 1996

• I will forever be grateful to his teachings, enthusiasm, passion and humility. He teaches more than the course, he teaches life quality and is a great confidence builder.

Kim Welborn – CE – English - 1998

• She showed so much enthusiasm that even on the days when I was not in the mood for school, the second I stepped into class her enthusiasm rubbed off.
• Her life is an awesome Christian testimony and she shares her faith …
• She is a very dedicated teacher who has concern and compassion for her students
• She helps ensure her students understand and learn what they need to know.