Trio recognized with prestigious teaching excellence awards

The Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards are annual awards given out to Waynesburg University faculty members to acknowledge their accomplishments in teaching. The awards are voted on by students and faculty peers.
The most recent set of awards were given out to three professors at the weekly chapel service in Roberts Chapel on Tuesday, April 7.
The awards are split into three different categories, each honoring professors of different standing and involvement with the university.
Mike Cipoletti, assistant professor of forensic science, won the award for a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence; Marietta Wright, assistant professor of biology, won the award for showcasing her excellence in introductory subjects; and Erin Martin, lecturer of nursing, received the award for a non-full time faculty member.
“I think it’s the ultimate award you can get; that’s why we’re here, we’re here to teach,” said Cipoletti. “If you can be recognized to that, I think that’s what you work for as a teacher.”
This award means a great deal to Cipoletti, but it was not something he expected to receive.
“I was surprised and very humbled by it,” said Cipoletti. “It’s not an easy thing to be a good teacher, it takes a lot of work. Anybody that is either teaching or is being taught appreciates it.”
Dr. Jamie Jacobs, dean for Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, commended Wright for her work in biology in a statement from the university.
“Dr. Wright consistently is recognized by her students for her commitment to excellence in student learning, particularly in her introductory biology classes but also in more advanced courses,” said Jacobs. “In addition, they cite her strengths as an advisor and as a faculty member who embodies the caring spirit of Waynesburg University.”
Wright has been with Waynesburg Universty since 2005.
Martin joined the university in 2006, but also holds a master’s degree in nursing from Waynesburg, along with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from West Virginia University.
Dr. Nancy Mosser, professor of Nursing and chair of the Department of Nursing, heaped high praise of Martin’s practical approach in the same statement.
“[Martin] is consistently described by students as an excellent clinical instructor who provides students with reality-based, real-world clinical experiences,” said Mosser. “She holds students to high standards and is respected by them for her extensive background in critical care nursing. The Department of Nursing at Waynesburg University is fortunate to have Erin Martin as a clinical faculty member.”
Cipoletti also credits his students and the administration at the university for his recognition.
“The students that are here are great and they recognize when somebody is doing a good job teaching them,” said Cipoletti. “Nobody does this by themselves. The students have to want to be taught and I’ve had nothing but great students since I’ve been here, so it’s a tribute to them as well. I’ve had nothing but support from the administration since I’ve been here too, but also, and more importantly, from other faculty.”
For Cipoletti, nothing changes as a result of winning this award, and he is even using it as a motivator to be a better educator.
“If anything it gives you motivation to try to do better,” said Cipoletti. “It’s an affirmation of the work you’ve put in and that it is recognized and that you are on the right track. But, you’re never going to be perfect and there is always something new to learn.”