Assistant Professor and Chair of Business Administration Christopher Kubik Selected as 2010 Recipient of Highest Faculty Award
The Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching is the college's highest teaching award. It recognizes the fundamental importance of the quality of teaching and celebrates those who dedicate themselves to the teaching profession. The award honors the late Professor Jack Jensen, who, through his dedication to teaching, inspired faculty and students alike.
Assistant Professor and Chair of Business Administration Christopher Kubik has been selected as the 2010 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 celebrates faculty members who encourage intellectual curiosity within and across disciplines, communicate high expectations, and inspire students to do their best work. He will receive the award and deliver the keynote address at Commencement on May 8, 2010.
Professor Kubik teaches classes in finance, investment management, business decision-making, introduction to organizations and strategic management. His research interests include personal finance, behavioral finance, and event-study methodology.
In their recommendations students expressed appreciation for Professor Kubik's high standards and expectations, passion for his field of study, and ability to engage and challenge them in the classroom. He encourages students to deepen their critical thinking skills, one student wrote, describing the professor's classes as “challenging and full of discussion.” Others noted that their professor encourages them to diversify their academic and co-curricular experiences, and by setting clear expectations for engagement and excellence, motivates students to truly learn, understand and retain the material.
Several students also expressed appreciation for Professor Kubik's infectious energy and enthusiasm in the classroom. “He has a good teaching pace and works to give every student opportunities for success,” another student wrote. “He connects what we learn to our lives,” showing his classes that “business is everywhere.” While students agree that Professor Kubik's classes are always challenging, one student summarized the majority view by stating that “Professor Kubik is hard but fair and a great teacher.”
At the 2009 Commencement, Professor Kubik was the recipient of the Nancy Beyer Opler Award for Excellence in Advising. He holds a D.B.A. in Finance from Anderson University, M.B.A. from the University of Detroit and B.S. in International Business and Economics from Madonna University. He joined the faculty in 2006.
Assistant Professor of Fine and Performing Arts Brian Clancy Selected as Recipient of 2010 Award for Excellence in Advising
The Nancy Beyer Opler Award for Excellence in Advising was established in 1998 by Nancy Beyer Opler '56. Each year, students have the opportunity to nominate the person they believe merits recognition for outstanding service as an advisor. Recipients of this award are chosen for their ability to facilitate students' adjustments to the academic community and to support students in their college and professional planning.
Assistant Professor Brian Clancy, who joined the faculty in 2006, teaches courses in the history of art and architecture in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. He specializes in 19th- and 20th-century American architecture, urbanism, and city planning, including research on the social history of opera houses and other building types. His research interests also include local history, historic preservation and music history. Professor Clancy earned his B.A from Yale University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Rutgers University. He will receive the award at Commencement on May 8, 2010.
In a recommendation for Professor Clancy, one student advisee expressed appreciation for his support, professionalism and dedication. “Brian helped me prioritize my scheduling so that my liberal arts requirements were mostly completed within the first two years, which gave me the freedom to design two independent studies. He has given me positive support with all my academic decisions; I even heard from him over breaks to make sure I was on the right track,” the student wrote. “When I had questions, he always responded, and he always sent reminders for important deadlines – such reliability is found in few people. Brian also helped me through the process of applying to graduate school. He was always friendly and more than willing to write recommendations.”
The student took four of Professor Clancy's art history courses and was consistently impressed by his enthusiasm and knowledge of the material, by his rigorous but fair expectations, and by his professional interaction with students.“These are truly exceptional qualities of an ideal teacher and mentor,” the student pointed out.
“Brian's efforts have shown me that I have someone who is always willing to help me. I have received caring advice, support and direction through all my challenges,” the student concluded. “He has helped me fit into Colby-Sawyer with ease and I couldn't have asked for a better advisor.”
