Faculty Recognized for Excellence

Nine University of Scranton faculty members were honored with Provost Faculty Enhancement awards for excellence in teaching, scholarship or service. The Office of the Provost and the Provost Advisory Group selected the recipients from a pool of candidates nominated by academic deans and department chairs.

Tara Nicole Fay received the Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award, presented to faculty members who make extraordinary efforts to enhance student learning and who practice teaching as a form of scholarship. Fay, faculty specialist in the Biology Department, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2008. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and her master’s degree from the University of Colorado. 

Jason M. Graham, Ph.D., and Margarete Lieb Zalon, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates noteworthy academic leadership in promoting and strengthening cross-disciplinary or interdepartmental teaching and learning endeavors. Dr. Graham, associate professor of mathematics, joined Scranton’s faculty in 2012. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and master’s degrees from Southern Methodist University and the University of Iowa. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa as well. A member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988, Dr. Zalon, professor of nursing, earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from New York University.

Jean Wahl Harris, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award. This award honors a faculty members whose special efforts ensure that students have a keen understanding and appreciation of the realities of the world, including pressing justice issues in a local, national and global context. Dr. Harris, professor of political science, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1987. She earned her bachelor’s master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the Binghamton University.

Iordanis Petsas, Ph.D., and Narda Tafuri received the Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award, which recognizes faculty members who have contributed service to the University community, particularly those who demonstrate academic leadership by effectively mentoring their junior colleagues. Dr. Petsas, professor and chair of the University’s Department of Economics and Finance, joined Scranton’s faculty in 2002. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Thessaloniki and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Florida. Tafuri, associate professor in the Library has worked at the University since 1994. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, Oneonta; and her master’s degrees from New York University and the State University of New York, Albany.

Nabil A. Tamimi, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Scholarly Publication Award, presented to faculty members who have attained distinction in scholarship or creative activity. Dr. Tamini is a professor and chair of the Operations and Information Management Department at the University. He joined the faculty at Scranton in 1993. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University, his MBA from The University of Scranton and his Ph.D. from Temple University.

Gretchen Van Dyke, Ph.D., received the Excellence in Advancing Global Learning Award, which recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated noteworthy academic leadership in integrating international issues/perspectives into the curriculum and through whose efforts, students have acquired the competencies, attributes and insights required to meaningfully and successfully participate in an increasingly interdependent world. Dr. Van Dyke, associate professor of political science, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1994. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College and her master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia.

Stephen E. Whittaker, Ph.D., received the Magis Award for Excellence in Adapting Classic Principles of Jesuit Pedagogy into the Curriculum. This award is intended to recognize a faculty member who makes specific, sustained, and creative efforts to adapt classic principles of Jesuit Pedagogy in his or her own courses. Dr. Whittaker, professor of English and theatre, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas.