Finalists named for BVU’s 2023 George Wythe Award
The recipient of the award, which was endowed by the late Paul and Vivian McCorkle, receives a sabbatical and a $30,000 stipend for faculty development.
The following four faculty members have been named finalists for the 2023 George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching at Buena Vista University:
- Ms. Jennifer Hecht: Associate Professor of Accounting
- Dr. Lisa Mellmann: Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences
- Ms. Marian Riner: Assistant Professor of Social Work
- Dr. Karin Strohmyer: Associate Professor of Education, Special Education
Hecht, who holds CPA, CMA, CLU, and ChFC designations, is in her seventh year at BVU. Prior to BVU, she worked at Deere & Co. for 13 years in various roles in Accounting & Finance and at Northwestern Mutual for six years as a financial advisor. Her experience at a global Fortune 100 company provides many real-world examples to use in the classroom. A 2019 McCorkle Fellow, Hecht returned with students the following year to Madagascar, exploring the biodiversity of the island, learning about the Malagasy culture, and participating in the different programs at the Center ValBio. Hecht grew up in Storm Lake and works to connect students to the local community through organizations such as BV Buddies, Storm Lake Rotary, and the Storm Lake United Methodist Church Youth Group.
Mellmann, who has been at BVU for 13 years, serves as principal investigator on a prestigious National Science Foundation S-STEM grant that has helped attract low-income, high-achieving students into STEM while preparing them to flourish in related fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Mellmann also serves as a mentor for five first-generation college students through BVU’s landmark Clausen Family Education for Service Scholars program, striving to build students’ capacity while making an impact through service to the community.
Riner, in her fourth year at BVU, has 24 years of experience in social work. In March 2021, she worked with the University’s Student Association of Social Workers to develop, build, and open Jane’s Closet in Swope Hall. Jane’s Closet has helped hundreds of individuals and recently began serving Buena Vista County Head Start and Storm Lake Community School District in addition to children in the foster care system. Riner was awarded Faculty Member of the Year for 2021-22.
Strohmyer, now in her 12th year at BVU, has worked to develop BVU’s Special Education undergraduate major, as well as the University’s graduate program and its “Plus 1” graduate program endeavor. Strohmyer serves on the Autism Society of Iowa Board and the Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Policy Committee. She assists schools and universities as they prepare for the Universal Design for Learning Certification, which supports inclusive instruction and accommodating the needs of all learners.
Dr. Annamaria Formichella, Professor of English, chairs the 2023 Wythe Award Selection Committee. Formichella is joined by: Dr. Nathan Backman, Associate Professor of Computer Science; Ms. Beth Blankers, Professor of Accounting and Assistant Dean, Harold Walter Siebens School of Business; Dr. Wes Beckwith, Assistant Professor of Psychology; and Dr. Calle Friesen, Associate Professor of Education, Literacy and Early Childhood Education.
The recipient of the George Wythe Award, which was endowed by the late Paul and Vivian McCorkle ’59, receives a sabbatical and a $30,000 stipend for faculty development. The winner will be announced at BVU’s Annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration in May.
More information about the award, as well as a complete list of past winners, can be found at bvu.edu/wythe.