The North Central Sociological Association Teaching Committee (NCSA) recently honored Rebecca Bordt, associate professor of sociology at DePauw, with the 2012 John F. Schnabel Distinguished Contributions to Teaching Award.
A little over a week ago, Bordt received an email from the NCSA informing her that she was chosen to be the recipient of the award. The annual award given by the association recognizes excellence in some activity enhancing the teaching of sociology for the NCSA or within the North Central region."
"It's an especially nice honor because the NCSA has played an important role in my professional development," Bordt said.
A colleague of Bordt's, Indiana University Professor Brian Powell, nominated Bordt for the award, submitting a packet that included curriculum vitae, sample syllabi and student opinion forms from some of Bordt's recent classes. Powell also included her publications on teaching and learning and acquired letters of support from Bordt's colleagues at DePauw, as well as people who have read and used her publications on teaching.
Bordt met Powell through a program Powell created called Preparing Future Faculty Program. The program connects Indiana University graduate students interested in a liberal arts teaching position with mentors currently in the liberal arts area. The students shadow their mentor for a year to get an idea of what working in a liberal arts environment entails. Bordt has mentored several IU students in the sociology field over the last decade.
According to the NCSA website, the main criterion for the Distinguished Contribution to Teaching Award showing some form of excellence and achievement in the teaching of sociology. The criteria are flexible in an effort allow creative and innovative ideas. Nomination is open to individuals, programs, departments, and institutions in the NCSA region, which includes eastern Illinois, western Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Ontario, Canada.
Past students of Bordt seconded the NCSA's positive regards of her teaching abilities.
Junior Chris Taljan took Contemporary Society with Bordt last spring.
"Sociologists have a very different way of looking at the world," Taljan said. "As a math and geosciences major, looking at society from different perspectives can be difficult. Professor Bordt's very direct teaching style presented the facts in a black-and-white way. I got a lot out of the class."
Sophomore Vanessa Maxwell, a current student in Bordt's criminology class, echoed Taljan's positive remarks.
"The class I'm currently in (criminology) is especially interesting because it's not something most people think about," Maxwell said. "Her classes are easy to follow. When I miss a class, I know the information I missed, and it's easy to catch back up."
Bordt will receive the Distinguished Contribution to Teaching Award at the NCSA's annual conference. The conference will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 13-15. After the conference, Bordt will be featured on the NCSA website as the 2012 recipient of the award.
"I'm very grateful for the award," Bordt said. "Also, I think that receiving this teaching award is a sign of having had the luxury of teaching really great students."