advertisers

Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area honors top instructors

Last Updated on May 10, 2018 by cassnetwork

Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Service Area is honoring two instructors with the region’s top awards for excellence in instruction during commencement May 11.

Laura Lanning, department chair of Public Affairs and Social Services and program chair and associate professor of Human Services, is being honored as Ivy Tech Kokomo Service Area’s 2017-18 President’s Award recipient and regional nominee for the Glenn W. Sample Award for Excellence in Instruction, the College’s highest honor for faculty. Timothy A. Newell, adjunct instructor in the Software Development Program, is the recipient of the region’s 2017-18 Adjunct Faculty Award and regional nominee for the statewide Gerald I. Lamkin Award for Excellence in Instruction.

“Laura and Tim are outstanding representatives of our full-time and adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech Community College. Both bring years of valuable professional experience from their fields to the classroom,” said Chancellor Dean McCurdy.

“These are our top awards presented to Ivy Tech instructors each year,” he continued, “and recognize the winners’ excellence in instruction and dedication to Ivy Tech’s mission of providing world-class educational opportunities in support of our communities.”

Laura Lanning:

In presenting the award to Lanning, Ivy Tech leaders noted that in her teaching she has connected the passion she had for her clients during more than 20 years as a therapist and clinician to a passion for preparing her students to also make a positive impact in their communities.

Lanning has been with the College for 10 years, beginning as a part-time instructor in 2007. Since then, she has advanced to full-time instructor, then program chair, and now department chair, taking on additional administrative duties and oversight of certificate programs with the School of Public and Social Services.  An alumna of Master Teacher, Leadership Kokomo, Leadership Academy, and Leadership Institute, Lanning has also demonstrated her devotion to life-long learning and professional development.

Along with offering rigorous, up-to-date classroom instruction, Lanning is an excellent role model to her students and involves them in several community service endeavors for the United Way of Howard County and family Services Association. Additionally, Lanning is the founding faculty advisor for the Human Services Student Organization, which provides services and advocacy for a variety of under-resourced local populations. Through her work at the College and in the community, Laura exemplifies education for service and instills this value in future human services providers, her students.

Lanning earned a bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Indiana University and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University.

Timothy Newell:

In recognizing Newell, administrators recognized that in his 10 years on the adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech, Newell has become an outstanding instructor by combining his professional and military experience with genuine respect for his students and a commitment to fostering open communication in the classroom.

Newell is recognized as one who excels at all he does. He earned a bachelor’s degree with distinction in Electrical Engineering Technology from Purdue University and later earned a certificate in microprocessor and embedded controllers from Purdue. He served the United States for 20 years in military reserve positions, earning many medals and awards, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. In his 25-year technology career, he has served in positions such as senior firmware engineer and senior software engineer for companies such as Delphi Electronics & Safety and Aptiv.

In his information technology courses at Ivy Tech, students say they enjoy Newell’s classroom style of engagement and instruction and are able to learn effectively from him and apply their learning appropriately. Many have moved into high-wage, high-demand careers in computer technology.

Cass County Online