Nominate your favorite professor
for educator of the year
Chad Wayne / Staff Writer

Every year, Columbus State University students nominate professors for the esteemed Educator of the Year award and it is that time of year to nominate your favorite instructors. The process is easy.

Just pick up an “Educator of the Year Nomination Form” from the Student Life Room (Rm. 271) or from the Student Government Association (SGA) office. Both are located in the Davidson Center. Or your can use the nomination form printed in this issue of the Saber. Fill out the form with all the relevant information including: why you would take a class from the professor again, why you would recommend this professor to another student, and what characteristics make this professor an outstanding educator.

Drop the nomination form in the drop box at the SGA office and consider your favorite professor nominated. But the process is not over yet. The nomination forms are reviewed by the “Educator of the Year” committee, then the nominees are asked to submit vitas (a kind of resume). After reviewing the vitas, the committee narrows the possible candidates down to five or six professors. Then the nominees are interviewed.

So is it worth all the effort? Angela Williams, Vice President of Scholastic Affairs in SGA states that “This award is the highest award that they [professors] can receive. Professors take it very seriously.”
The committee researches information about the candidates such as: where they earned their degree, their professional experience, campus organizations that they are involved in, their published works.

Last year’s “Educator of the Year” award went to Dr. Shawn Crusen who teaches physics and astronomy. So far there have been only two professors nominated this year. Any student can nominate any full-time professor at CSU that has made a lasting impression on them.

What are the pay-offs of being Educator of the Year? The greatest reward is the recognition and prestige of the title. The other rewards include: a blazer, a plaque and $1,500 that has been donated in the past by CB&T.

So give that professor that has profoundly impacted you an opportunity to be recognized and nominate them for Educator of the Year.