Pictured, from left, are Drs. Hong Yao, Brent Fedorko, Elizabeth Curtin, and Diane Davis.
This year’s Salisbury University Alumni Association Faculty Appreciation Award winners are “an inspiration,” “incredible,” “encouraging” and “a mentor and friend,” according to their former students.
The association honored four with the accolade during SU’s 92nd-year Fall Commencement. They include Drs. Elizabeth Curtin, English, of the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts; Diane Davis, medical laboratory science, of the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology; Hong Yao, economics and finance, of the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business; and Brent Fedorko, health and sport sciences, of the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies.
“These are professors whose efforts have made a lasting impression on students, who have provided dynamic classroom instruction, who exhibit attributes graduates can take with them into their careers and who have made a difference in the lives of their students,” said Julius Jones, Alumni Association president.
In their nominations, alumni frequently gave eloquent and heartfelt praise to the faculty members who helped shape their experiences at SU.
“Dr. Curtin’s love of words and language is an inspiration to her students that encourages lifelong learning,” said one former student. “Her classroom techniques are challenging and teach creative thinking. [She] opens her students’ eyes to a world beyond the classroom, developing in them skills sought after by top employers.”
“Dr. Davis is an incredible professor,” said a former student and current colleague. “Not only did she teach our medical technology class and numerous others, but she also worked toward her Ph.D. while balancing her family. In addition to teaching me lessons from our medical technology textbooks, she also taught me some of life’s greatest lessons.”
“In my last semester at Salisbury, I was a supplemental instructor for Dr. Yao’s microeconomics class,” said her nominator. “Even though I may have wanted to focus on more fun things during my final semester, [she] encouraged me to take the opportunity to boost my resume. During job interviews, I found myself citing this experience in many of the questions I was asked. As a result of this experience, I was able to get a job in the federal government right out of college.”
“As a doctor of physical therapy, I never could have achieved my goals without Dr. Fedorko as a mentor and friend,” said his nominator. “As I was applying to physical therapy schools, I realized my extra-curricular activities were lacking. Per [Fedorko’s] recommendation, I began my involvement in the Exercise Science Club, elevating to club president in my senior year. None of my dreams would have been possible had he not gently guided me from the background as a club advisor and professor.”
For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.
