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WVU honors student-nominated Spring 2020 Teaching MVPs

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Thanks to nominations from more than 900 students across the WVU system, the University is honoring 26 faculty members and instructors with Teaching MVP Awards for the Spring 2020 semester.

Launched at the end of April by the Office of the Provost, the student-nominated awards program recognizes faculty and instructors who went above and beyond to provide a high-quality educational experience for their students during the Spring 2020 semester. In just three short days, more than 900 nominations were submitted, along with suggested award titles and a brief explanation for each nomination.

A committee of faculty and administrators reviewed the nominations and recommended their top candidates. The following 26 faculty members and instructors have been identified as Spring 2020 Teaching MVPs for demonstrating outstanding teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out the website to see the story behind such award titles “The G.O.A.T.” and “Yoda.”

Ashok Bidwai
“Student Sanity Superstar”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Daniel Brewster
‘“Be Well’ Salutation Aficionado”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Nancy Caronia
“Queen of Online Instruction”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Amy Coburn
“COVID-19 Queen”
School of Nursing

Andrew Dacks
“More Than OK Zoomer”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Danielle Davidov
“Most Compassionate Soul”
School of Public Health

Dan Defeo
“Yoda”
School of Nursing

Emily Dennis
“Pro Zoomer”
Chambers College of Business and Economics

Barbara Douglas
“Angel from Heaven”
WVU School of Nursing - Beckley Campus

Erin Ellis
“Patient Cello Queen”
College of Creative Arts

Kimeran Evans
“Care Coordinator”
School of Medicine

Dan Follmer
“Statistics Sensei”
College of Education and Human Services

Christopher Griffin
“eCampus Adapter”
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Jessica Haught
“Most Compassionate”
College of Law

Sharon Hayes
“Above and Beyond”
College of Education and Human Services

Wade Huebsch
“Wonder Wade”
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Kevin Knoster
“Most Relatable”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Lisa Lisauckis
“The Zen Zoomer”
School of Dentistry

Macarena Llamas
“Best Spanish Teacher”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Randy McCombie
“Professor Encourager”
School of Medicine

Bremansu Osa-Andrews
“The Online Learning Hero”
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Joshua Osbourn
“The G.O.A.T”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Trina Perrone
“Periodic Chem Master”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Brian Scaife
“True OT - Adapted and Overcame”
School of Medicine

Travis Stimeling
“Music History’s Own Apollo”
College of Creative Arts

Stephanie Young
“Coolest Prof Ever”
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

“I can’t say enough about these wonderful faculty and instructors,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed. “Each one had a significant impact on a number of students at WVU during a time that presented a myriad of challenges on so many levels. I am inspired by the creative award titles our students submitted to capture their teaching efforts, as well as the beautiful explanations they provided as to why they deserve the awards. These teachers are the true MVPs of the semester!” 

Award recipients were initially announced during the May 13 CELEBRATE 2020 event hosted by the Teaching and Learning Commons. A web page is available, along with selected quotes from nominations for each award recipient. Each recipient will also receive a special MVP t-shirt.

Celebrate your colleagues with us. Visit https://provost.wvu.edu/teaching-mvp-awards for all the details.