Dr. Kathryn Benzel honored with Martin Distinguished Professor in English award |
| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 19 2008 at 2:11 PM |
Photo courtesy of Dr. Kathryn Benzel
Dr. Kathryn Benzel lectures for The Sandburg Project at the Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney in Nov. 2007. Benzel received the Martin Distinguished Professor in English Award.
By Amanda Baillie
Antelope Staff
The Martin Distinguished Professor in English award is an award created to honor professors who excel in their career. Dr. Kathryn Benzel is this year's recipient of the Martin Distinguished Professor in English award.
The Martin Distinguished Professor in English award was established by former Congressman David Martin and his wife Tancie to recognize excellence in teaching and research, according to Dr. William Jurma, Dean of the UNK College of Fine Arts and Humanities.
The Martin Distinguished Professor in English award is given by a committee of junior faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, the department chair and the dean of the college. The award covers a three-year term and comes with a salary stipend for the recipient.
Dr. Benzel has been teaching at UNK since 1987. She has had many accomplishments in her career including authoring and editing six books, 22 articles and reviews, presenting over 50 conference presentations internationally, nationally and regionally. Some of her other awards include 2003 Leland Holt Distinguished Faculty Award, awards for Excellence in Scholarships, Faculty Mentor, Distinguished Faculty and Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate.
Dr. Benzel has also been appointed to the Nebraska Humanities Council Speakers Bureau and the Nebraska Arts Council Touring Program. She has initiated and directed two programs, the First Year Program and the Women's Studies Program. Also in her list of accomplishments are around 20 various grants. Dr. Benzel also coordinated the Nebraska Educational Telecommunications filming of the Sandburg Project for NET programming.
"I am quite honored to be selected as a recipient of the Martin Chair. To be selected for such an award by one's peers is such a privilege," Dr. Benzel said.
As part of her three-year term of holding the award, Dr. Benzel has decided to coordinate a speaker for UNK's Explorations Lecture series in order to highlight the honor of David and Tancie Martin who endowed the award.
Former award recipients include Dr. Richard Jussel, Dr. Susanne George Bloomfield, Dr. Don Welch and Dr. Charles Peek.
