At a quality educational institution like
Northwestern Michigan College, it's easy to see that there are a slew of outstanding instructors--but two this year stood out among the rest, which resulted in Dr. Blake Key and Dr. Mark Holley earning the 2011 Faculty Excellence awards.
Key was named the college's Imogene Wise Faculty Excellence Award winner while Holley earned the Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award. Both were announced earlier this month at the college's commencement ceremonies.
Chosen by a student selection committee, award criteria includes teaching excellence, rapport with students, innovation in the classroom and a sense of dedication.
Key began teaching at NMC as an adjunct instructor in 2000 and joined the full-time regular faculty in 2002. Holley joined the college in May 2007 teaching underwater archeology and has led the anthropology program since 2008.
Key says he was "very surprised" to be named the recipient.
"I just feel proud to be part of the NMC community. It's a great place to work with students," he says.
In his classes, he strives to use analogy and real-life examples to make chemistry relevant to students.
Holley describes himself as "elated" to receive the award.
"It was one of the things I set out in my career to achieve," says Holley, who has taught underwater archaeology at universities in Scotland and England as well as at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
Holley structures his classes to be half classroom teaching time, and half research time. He credits the students for innovation and creativity that keep the classes engaging.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Blake Key and Mark Holley, Northwestern Michigan College
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.