Waynesburg University honored three faculty members with the 2024 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during the annual Charter Day celebration Tuesday, March 19, in Roberts Chapel.
The Charter Day celebrations commemorate the 174th anniversary of Waynesburg University’s charter by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the 175th anniversary of its founding.
The Lucas-Hathaway Awards recognize faculty in three categories: Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty, Excellence in Introductory Subjects and History of Teaching Excellence.
“Charter Day is a day for celebrating Waynesburg University,” said Dr. Dana Cook Baer, Waynesburg University Provost. “We celebrate those who founded Waynesburg University, and we celebrate those who, through their work today, are continuing the University’s mission of educating students to serve God and others. In particular, we celebrate three faculty members who continue our mission by teaching with excellence.”
Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty
Todd Hamel, part-time lecturer of computer science, received the 2024 Excellence in Teaching by Part-time Faculty Award, which recognizes a non-full-time faculty member who teaches at any Waynesburg University site or online.
“Despite teaching just one class a week, this faculty member takes the time to get to know and care for students,” Dr. Baer shared from a nomination submission. “Although it’s obvious that this faculty member has expansive knowledge in the discipline taught, this faculty member is still learning more and more, and it shows.”
Hamel earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from Salem College and his Master of Education in Technology from Waynesburg University [College]. He served in various roles in the Uniontown School District from 1978-2012, and he has been teaching computer science and computer forensics classes at Waynesburg University as a part-time lecturer since 2003.
Excellence in Introductory Subjects
Dr. Christian Hayes, assistant professor of biology, received the 2024 Excellence in Introductory Subjects Award, which recognizes a faculty member with teaching excellence in introductory subjects.
One nomination stated, “As someone who models life-long learning, this exceptional faculty member continues to be active in his research, maintains and improves the marine lab, teaches and learns at the Au Sable Institute, and co-organizes the Annual Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Works Symposium.”
Another nomination shared that “Students and colleagues alike know this recipient to be a person of faith, who regularly attends Chapel and operates with a unique joy for students and a passion for subject matter that stems from a strong faith and calling. This faculty member exemplifies what it means to be a faculty member who journeys with students in all phases of the mission of the University.”
Dr. Hayes started teaching at Waynesburg University in 2021. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Cedarville University, his Master’s degree in Biology from Loma Linda University and his Ph.D. in Coastal Sciences from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2021.
History of Teaching Excellence
William Stough, Program Director for the Master of Business Administration and Associate Professor of Business Administration, received the 2024 History of Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence.
One student shared in a nomination that Stough never turns away a student with a problem. He responds promptly, and not only tries to find answers to help students, but encourages students to solve problems on their own.
Another nomination noted that, with vast professional experience and a large employer network, Stough knows how to prepare students to make critical, high-level decisions, pass certification exams, and gain experience that correlates to their classroom learning.
Stough earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Master’s in Business Administration from Waynesburg University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and, before coming to Waynesburg University as a full-time faculty member in 2016, he worked as an accountant and Chief Financial Officer. In addition to teaching over 30 different subjects and coaching baseball at Waynesburg University, he serves on several boards, foundations, and organizations.
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with an additional site for graduate and professional programs in Southpointe.
About the Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust
The Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards are awarded annually to full-time and part-time faculty members who are nominated by students, faculty members, staff members, or Waynesburg University alumni. The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust, which has established an endowed fund for the awards, is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950. Award recipients receive a plaque and a monetary gift in recognition of their teaching excellence.
The 175th Anniversary
The year 2024 marks Waynesburg University’s 175th Anniversary. The theme of the year-long celebration, “175 Years of Light,” focuses on honoring the University’s mission as well as its motto, “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” This milestone year is a time for reflection, but also a time for great anticipation as the WU community together looks forward to the next 175 years while celebrating generations of students, faculty and staff pursuing lives of leadership and purpose for the glory of God.
