3 minute read
Honoring Our Educators
Thank You for Your Service
Six members of the Muskingum community are retiring. We thank them for their service and recognize them for their exceptional impact on students, faculty and staff colleagues, alumni, friends, and the community.
Dr. David Craft, Professor of Mathematics, 29 years. He taught nearly all courses in the math curriculum and he advised Kappa Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honorary society. His research interests focused on graph theory, combinatorics, and geometry. He has been named Professor Emeritus. Jeff Heacock ’76, Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Major Gifts, 44 years. He was Head Football Coach for 26 years, posting the longestserving tenure in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and ranking in the top 10 all-time active NCAA coaches across all divisions for most years at the same institution. He also served as Athletic Director and in Student Life. Rose Lemmings, Aramark Catering Manager, 27 years. She has created and served countless special meals enjoyed on campus by students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, families, and the Board of Trustees, bringing a warm and welcome presence to Muskingum events.
Tracy Bugglin ’85, Director of Counseling, 16 years. Most recently, she led Counseling Services in developing creative initiatives to support the campus community as Muskingum navigated the COVID-19 era. James “Ed” Stover, Custodial Shift Supervisor, 16 years of service. He was responsible for taking care of the academic and administrative buildings and was known for always having a smile on his face. Patricia Thompson, Administrative Assistant for the Education Department, 16 years. She became well-known to undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education students though her work supporting teacher preparation and professional development.
Dr. Michelle Oyakawa, Dr. Jay Shaffstall, Dr. Jim Dooley.
The University’s highest faculty awards for the coming 2022-2023 academic year were presented on April 8, 2022, during the Celebration of Excellence ceremony honoring high-achieving students and educators. Nominations for the awards are made by faculty members and the honorees are chosen by the prior year’s award recipients.
Assistant Professor of Sociology Dr. Michelle Oyakawa received the William Rainey Harper Award for Outstanding Scholarship. She recently co-authored the books “Prisms of the People: Power and Organizing in 21st Century America” and “Smart Suits, Tattered Boots: Black Ministers and Mobilization in 21st Century America.” She integrates her research concepts into her classroom instruction, introducing her students to real-world sociological issues.
The scholarship award’s name recognizes the extraordinary accomplishments of the Class of 1870 Muskingum graduate and New Concord native, who was born in a log cabin on Main Street and became the founder of the University of Chicago.
The William Oxley Thompson Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Dr. Jay Shaffstall, Assistant Professor of Computer Science. He is known for his ability to create a real-world atmosphere in his courses, for fostering independent learning, and for his mentorship. Dr. Shaffstall often offers independent study courses to meet students’ needs, partners with them on Muskie Fellow summer research projects, and involves them in middle and high school educational outreach programs.
The teaching award is named in honor of the Class of 1878 Muskingum graduate who became a transformational, three-decade president of The Ohio State University and held the philosophy that “Successful teaching means not merely instruction in knowledge, but inspiration, uplift, and outlook.”
Cora I. Orr Faculty Service Award
Dr. Jim Dooley, the Bill and Martha Lovejoy Professor of Biology, was recognized with the Cora I. Orr Faculty Service Award. He advises three student organizations and regularly holds encouraging conversations with students he encounters in his classroom, the hallways, and across campus. Dr. Dooley meets regularly with prospective students in all fields, volunteers for multiple admission events, and generously shares his time to better the New Concord area and assist its residents.
Professor Cora Orr was a talented Muskingum language and psychology instructor, dedicated counselor, and student-centered Dean of Students. This award is named in honor of her influence on students, campus programs, and the community for four decades.
