Culver
Current
Endowed Academic Chairs Presented to 6 Instructors
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n Feb. 20, the Academies presented six academic chairs at the Academic Recognition Assembly. The awarding of endowed chairs, which are funded through the generous gifts of Culver alumni and patrons, is one of several ways the Academies honors the dedicated work of its faculty. An Academic chair is both an honor and a “bestowed trust” given to a faculty member who has a growth mindset and a student-centered learning approach, Head of Schools John Buxton said. With the chair comes financial support that will enable the chairholder to pursue an academic project that will benefit his/her department and the Academies. Chairs are selected by a sub-committee consisting of two department chairs who are also chairholders, in addition to faculty representatives from each academic department. The February 2013 recipients were: JENNIFER CERNY
GABRIELLE DILORENZO
Senior Instructor, Humanities Frank Smathers Jr. Chair of English
Senior Instructor, Modern & Classical Languages Julia B. Fleet Chair of Teaching
Cerny joined the English Department in 2000. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Michigan, concentrating on ethics, continental philosophy, and Marxism. She earned a master’s degree in English language and literature from Eastern Michigan University, specializing in medieval and African-American Cerny literature. Cerny currently teaches Shakespeare, MiddleEastern Literature, and Global Perspectives, the 10th-grade humanities course. She also team-teaches a new course with John Yeager, Ph.D., “Thinking Smart, Living Well.” Cerny also coaches girls’ soccer, works with Spiritual Life, and is a Willliamson Fellow.
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SPRING 2013
A Williamson Fellow, DiLorenzo joined the Department of Modern & Classical Languages in 2002. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Art and English DiLorenzo Composition from Beloit College and a master’s degree in Education from the University of the Virgin Islands. She has taught Spanish Levels I through AP and is interested in Spanish art, literature and folklore. DiLorenzo has published poetry and has exhibited her drawings and paintings. She previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras and then taught Spanish at a day school in the Virgin Islands. She also serves as the adviser for Sin Fronteras and is a PLC (Professional Learning Communities) facilitator.
NANCY MCKINNIS Master Instructor, Center for Leadership Freeman Chair of Leadership McKinnis teaches in the Leadership Department and directs the Culver Girls Academies Leadership Training Program. She also is in charge of the McKinnis Servant Leadership Practicum course. McKinnis joined the Academies in 1980 as a CGA counselor and Fine Arts instructor. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College (Indiana) and a master’s degree from the University of Bridgeport. McKinnis sponsors CGA’s Leadership Committee for Africa and has served as a co-leader for the mission trip to South Africa. She has presented Culver’s leadership models at The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) and Christel House International Schools.
CHRIS CARRILLO, PH.D. Senior Instructor, Science & Department Chair Eugene C. Eppley Chair of Science Joining the Science Department in 2010, Carrillo teaches chemistry. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of California-San Diego and Carrillo a master’s and Ph.D. in oceanography from the University of Hawaii. He was science department chair at Christchurch School in Virginia and an adjunct instructor at Rappahannock Community College. His research interests include climate change and aquatic ecosystems, carbon dioxide solution chemistry in seawater and photosynthesis, respiration, and physiology of algae.