April 2017 – Office of Faculty Engagement

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2016-2017 Sabbatical Awards:

Gary Bolding, Professor of Art

Paul Croce, Professor of History

Michael Denner, Professor of Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

Tandy Grubbs, Professor and Chair of Chemistry

Peter May, Professor of Biology

Elizabeth Poeter, Associate Professor of German, Director of Gender Studies

Matthew Roberts, Associate Professor of Digital Arts

Matthew Schrager, Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Tara Schuwerk, Associate Professor and Department Chair

John Tichenor, Associate Professor of Management; Chair of Management

Mercedes Tichenor, Professor of Education

Rusty Witek, Professor of Creative Arts

Terri Witek, Professor of English, Sullivan Chair in Creative Writing

Kirsten Work, Professor of Biology

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2017 William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching

Stetson University congratulates Professor Dan Plante of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science on receiving the William Hugh McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stetson University’s highest honor celebrating outstanding teaching and student mentorship.

The McEniry Award recognizes faculty members whose dedication to education extends beyond the classroom through exceptional instruction, meaningful guidance, and a lasting commitment to student success.

For Professor Plante, that commitment is reflected in the experiences of the many students who credit him with transforming both their academic confidence and professional aspirations. Nominations highlighted his ability to adapt his teaching to meet students where they are, challenge them to grow, and demonstrate the broader significance of the concepts they study. Students described entering his courses with little background in the subject and leaving with not only technical proficiency but also the confidence to pursue internships and opportunities they had never imagined for themselves.

Equally notable is Professor Plante’s dedication outside the classroom. Students praised his willingness to provide mentorship beyond coursework, offering guidance on projects, careers, and personal development. One nomination recounted how, after a disappointing exam, he met with a struggling student, shared his own experiences overcoming academic challenges, and encouraged the student to persevere, a moment that left a lasting impression and reinforced the value of resilience and growth.

Through his student-centered approach, personalized mentorship, and passion for education, Professor Dan Plante exemplifies the spirit of the William Hugh McEniry Award. The Office of Faculty Engagement congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his enduring contributions to Stetson University and its students.

Dr. Daniel Plante, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science