March 27, 2008

Patrick J. Murphy		Carrie Rice

College presents educator and teacher of the year awards    

The Regional Center for Teaching and Learning at Morningside College has presented the 2008 National Alumni Educator of the Year Award to Patrick J. Murphy, assistant professor of management at DePaul University in Chicago, and the 2008 Siouxland Alumni Teacher of the Year Award to Carrie Rice, language arts teacher at Lawton-Bronson High School in Lawton, Iowa.

Morningside College President John Reynders and William Deeds, Morningside’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, presented the awards at a banquet on Wednesday, March 26, in the college’s Olsen Student Center. To be considered for the awards, candidates must exemplify the qualities of an effective educator, have made a significant contribution to the field of education, and have had a positive impact on students and their families.

Murphy received his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial psychology from Morningside in 1997 and his master’s in industrial/organizational psychology from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.  He worked for two years as an organizational development specialist for the North American operating division of Schneider Electric in Palatine, Ill.  Murphy joined the faculty of Kellstadt Graduate School of Business at DePaul University after receiving his doctorate in business from the University of Illinois in 2004.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities at DePaul University, Murphy is involved in teaching, training and consulting for managers and entrepreneurs around the world. He has received the Lawrence W. Ryan Teaching Award and the Excellence in Teaching Award from DePaul University.

Rice received her bachelor’s degree in English and her teaching certificate from Morningside in 1998. She has served on the Lawton-Bronson School District’s professional development team and has been an innovator in bringing advanced placement English and second chance reading into the Lawton-Bronson High School curriculum. In addition to teaching those two courses, she also teaches English, American literature, composition and newspaper. Rice is working on her master’s degree in education.

Other nominees for the Siouxland Alumni Teacher of the Year Award included:

Sioux City –  Kim Vermilyea and Robin Wilmesherr , Sioux City Community School District.

South Sioux City – Deb Morgan  and Paige Oliva , South Sioux City Community Schools.

Sergeant Bluff – Leslie Ellerbeck , Sergeant Bluff-Luton Schools.

Iowa – Barbara Ketelsen , Anthon-Oto Community School District; Brad Klarenbeek , West Sioux Community Schools; Beverly McNamara , Maple Valley Community School District.

Morningside founded the Regional Center for Teaching and Learning in 2001 to work collaboratively with other institutions and agencies to improve education in the tri-state region. Nancy Mounts serves as the center’s director.