Four Lynchburg College professors have been recognized for excellence in teaching, scholarship, advising, and citizenship.
Those receiving awards are: Dr. Priscilla Gannicott, associate professor of chemistry, the Shirley E. Rosser Excellence in Teaching Award; Dr. Eric Goff, associate professor of physics and chair of the Physics Department, the James A. Huston Award for Excellence in Scholarship; Dr. James Price, professor of religious studies, the Thomas C. Allen Award for Excellence in Academic Advising; and Dr. Peggy Pittas, assistant dean, Lynchburg College Symposium Readings (LCSR) and Senior Symposium and professor of psychology, the Elsie Ervin Bock Award for Excellence in Citizenship.
Dr. Gannicott is described as a "student-centered professor," who spends whatever time it takes to reach every student who wants to learn. Her emphasis on real-world situations prepares her students well for future endeavors. Since joining the faculty in 1994, she has created a "scientific apprenticeship" for her students and has focused on updating laboratory curriculum and modernizing equipment. She became chair of the department in 2001 and has been instrumental in attracting more than $100,000 in external funding. The Rosser Award, the College's top teaching award, is presented each year to a member of the teaching faculty and is named for Shirley E. Rosser, a 1940 graduate of the College and a professor in the Department of Physics for 45 years.
The physics of sports is Dr. Goff's dominant research area, and his new book, Gold Medal Physics: The Science of Sports (The Johns Hopkins University Press) is due out in November. Since joining the faculty in 2002, he has published seven papers, four co-authored with LC students. A 2008 Mednick Award winner, Dr. Goff also received a fellowship from the University of Sheffield, England, where he spent the 2008-09 academic year working with a British colleague. The Huston Award recognizes a faculty member who has made noteworthy scholarly contributions to his or her field of endeavor. Originally established in 1964 as the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, it was renamed in 1979 in honor of Dr. James A. Huston, dean of the College, 1972-84, who remains a strong supporter of scholarly activities.
Dr. Price, who has been a member of the faculty since 1965, has dedicated his career to the betterment of Lynchburg College students. He is described as an "outstanding academic advisor and well-respected professor, who is sensitive to the interests and academic goals of students." He began teaching religious studies in 1983 and is well known as a biblical scholar. His current scholarly interests include New Testament and Early Christian Social Ethics, American religious movements, women's issues in the Biblical period, and the use of Romans 13 in the Reformed Tradition in American religious history. The Allen Award recognizes excellence in academic advising and is named in honor of Thomas C. Allen, a beloved English faculty member and gifted academic advisor who passed away in 2006.
Since joining the faculty in 1971, Dr. Pittas has served on or chaired more than 20 major College committees while also serving as a freshman advisor, honors thesis supervisor, science fair judge, reviewer, and consultant. An avid supporter of her colleagues, she has created a successful mentoring program for new faculty and fostered regular nominations of faculty for state and national teaching awards. In 2007, she helped organize the Ota Benga Conference chronicling the life of Ota Benga and recognizing the plight of the Pygmy people. A community leader and volunteer, she has served as both president and secretary of the Community Service Board of Central Virginia. The Bock Award is given annually to honor a faculty colleague whose service exemplifies the high commitment to Lynchburg College and the community as demonstrated by Elsie Bock, a former professor of English who died in 1996.