The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) yesterday named John Wadach (Engineering Science and Physics) the 2014 Outstanding Community Colleges Professor of the Year. Wadach was selected from a pool of nearly 400 nominees for his dedication to students, influence on engineering education and efforts to increase awareness among high school and college students about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers.
Wadach is one of four national winners who represent baccalaureate colleges, community colleges, doctoral and research universities, and master’s universities and colleges. Thirty state professors of the year were also recognized, along with one winner from the District of Columbia.
The college community is invited to celebrate Professor Wadach’s accomplishment on Monday, December 8, from noon to 2 pm in the Warshof Conference Center, Flynn Campus Center.
“I am grateful to the Carnegie Foundation and CASE for prominently recognizing the important work that community college professors selflessly perform,” Wadach said. “I am fortunate to work at one of the best community colleges in the country and want to make sure our students someday conclude that they received their best education at Monroe Community College,” he said.
“On our schedule, it says that John Wadach teaches engineering,” said MCC President Anne M. Kress. “What it doesn’t say is that he also teaches critical and creative thinking, confidence, responsibility, teamwork, resilience, pride in accomplishment, and leadership—all skills that will shape our students and their future success long after they have graduated from MCC.
“Professor Wadach’s dedication to his students and to the teaching profession exemplifies the talented, caring, and innovative faculty who inspire our students every day. We are proud and honored to have a U.S. Professor of the Year at MCC and congratulate John Wadach on achieving this distinction,” Kress said.
In addition to teaching, Wadach is chairperson of MCC’s Engineering Science and Physics Department. According to the Carnegie Foundation and CASE, “Wadach’s dedication to his students goes beyond the classroom walls. His efforts to promote engineering and mentor students are wide-ranging: coordinating an annual competition to increase awareness among high school students about STEM fields; working with New York state universities to ensure MCC curriculum meshes with their programs and meets their standards; and developing an event to bring together colleges, employers and prospective science, technology, engineering and mathematics students.”
“Engineering is not a major for the weak at heart,” said MCC engineering and mathematics student Kierstyn Dodson, who will introduce Wadach at the luncheon. “Professor Wadach has been a rock to so many students to help us keep pushing and reach our goals no matter what they are. His passion helps to keep ours alive every day.”
The U.S. Professors of the Year Awards Program, created in 1981, is the only national initiative specifically designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. National winners each receive a $5,000 cash award from the Carnegie Foundation.
Rosanna Yule
Marketing and Community Relations
11/21/2014 |