Mary Engel, Ph.D., Named University of Scranton Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year
Mary F. Engel, Ph.D. (center), pictured with her sons Sam Sawyer, S.J. (left), and Michael Sawyer, J.D. ’04, was named The University of Scranton’s 2017 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year at the honor society’s induction dinner on campus.
Mary F. Engel, Ph.D., director of health-professional school placement and fellowship programs and associate professor of English and theatre at The University of Scranton, was named the 2017 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year.
The award, formally known as the Gannon Award in honor of Edward Gannon, S.J., is the oldest teaching award at the University. Established in 1969 by the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, the award recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. Student members of Alpha Sigma Nu select the professor to be honored.
Under Dr. Engel’s leadership, Scranton students have placed in highly-selective medical, dental and other health professional schools at rates that double the national average. Equally impressive data, not reflected in the noteworthy acceptance rates, shows that many Scranton students have received acceptances to multiple schools, with some students receiving as many as 10 offers, as well as acceptances to elite, Ivy League medical and dental schools.
Working with Dr. Engel’s office, Scranton students have also earned some the nation’s most prestigious and competitive scholarships, including multiple Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships (the premier undergraduate scholarship for the fields of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering) and Harry S. Truman Scholarships (the recognized highly-competitive scholarship for third-year college students with demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to public service), as well as the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke, George J. Mitchell and Morris K. Udall scholarships.
Dr. Engel also serves as the University’s the Health Professions Organization (HPO) faculty advisor. She is a member of the Professional Development and Leadership Committee of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP), an organization of more than 1,850 health professions advisors at colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad. She also serves as the Philadelphia local area coordinator of the Northeast Association of Advisors for Health Professions (NEAAHP), which seeks to advance undergraduate advising for the health professions.
Dr. Engel began her tenure at Scranton as the associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1986. She served as director of the Study Abroad Program from 1986 until 2001, and directed the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Center from its beginning in 1987 until 2000.
Dr. Engel earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University, a licentiate in letters from Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Belgium, and a doctorate from Kent State University.
The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at the University. Juniors, seniors and graduate students at the University who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership.
