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In Brief

Sugaring Time Again; Former President Writes Autobiography; Alum Signs with Baseball Team; News from the Nursing and Business Administration Departments and more.

Making Their Mark

Learn about how our community members engage in writing, presentations and exhibitions.

Past as Prologue

Explore Haystack, a portal to the history of Colby-Sawyer College.

Colby-Sawyer Courier

Keep up with campus news from students' perspectives through the Colby-Sawyer Courier.

Solidus

This new literary magazine features creative writing in many genres by current students and alumni, faculty and staff, and a few friends and partners.

Q&Alumni

Find out what Colby-Sawyer alumni have been up to since graduation.

Currents: outstanding faculty

Colby-Sawyer College Announces 2009 Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Advising

Laura Alexander Selected as Jack Jensen Award Winner

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Laura Alexander has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Jensen Award, Colby-Sawyer's highest recognition for faculty, acknowledges the central importance of teaching and each year celebrates a faculty member who encourages intellectual curiosity within and across disciplines, communicates high expectations, and inspires students to do their best work.

Professor Alexander will receive the award and deliver the keynote address at Commencement on May 9, 2009.

Professor Alexander, who joined the faculty in 2001, teaches Environmental Studies courses such as Environmental Issues, Exploring Nature, Desert Communities, and White Mountain History. Her areas of expertise include sense of place, native flora, New Hampshire's White Mountains and North Country, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She created and maintains the college's Virtual Herbarium, a visual guide to New Hampshire flora. Professor Alexander holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Studies from Antioch University New England.

A consummate outdoorswoman, Professor Alexander shares her love and extensive knowledge of the natural environment with her students through walks on and near campus and hiking in New Hampshire's alpine environments.

“Laura is a professor I will never forget. Her expertise in the subject matter was amazing and clear to see,” wrote one student in a recommendation for the Jensen award. “She is a remarkable teacher and an asset to Colby-Sawyer.” Another student described Professor Alexander's classes as “engaging and often fun, but her expectations are high.” A colleague noted that Professor Alexander's curiosity and love for the natural environment is infectious. “Laura is a lifelong learner and she encourages her students to follow the same path.”

Please join us in congratulating Professor Alexander for this well-deserved recognition of her pursuit of excellence in teaching in our campus community. The Jack Jensen Award celebrates her outstanding level of achievement and commitment to our students, and honors all of our faculty members who have dedicated themselves to the noble profession of teaching.

Christopher Kubik Selected as Recipient of Opler Advising Award

Assistant Professor and Chair of Business Administration Christopher Kubik has been selected as the 2009 recipient of the Nancy Beyer Opler Award for Excellence in Advising. The award honors a faculty member who has provided outstanding service as an advisor, helping students adjust to the academic community and supporting them in their college and professional planning. Professor Kubik will receive the award at the 2009 Commencement ceremony.

Professor Kubik, who joined the faculty in 2006, teaches courses in finance, managerial accounting, strategic management and introduction to organizations. His professional interests include finance, behavioral finance and event study methodology. He is a doctoral candidate (ABD) in Finance from Anderson University and has earned an M.B.A. from the University of Detroit and B.S. in International Business and Economics at Madonna University.

In their recommendations for Professor Kubik, his student advisees expressed appreciation for his support and dedication as well as his high expectations for them. “He never let me get by with less than my best effort,” wrote one student. “He holds me to high standards, but I know that his challenges always have my best interests in mind.” Another student intends to seek as much advice as possible from Professor Kubik before graduation. “I feel extremely fortunate to have had him as a mentor and will always remember him encouraging me to get the most out of my Colby-Sawyer experience.” One more student shared that “Professor Kubik is kind-hearted yet realistic, and though he expects much of his advisees, he truly seeks success for us all.”

Please join us in congratulating Professor Kubik for this important recognition of his deep commitment to ensuring our students' success and well-being both during their college years and in their careers and professional lives to follow.

-Kimberly Swick Slover