Herzing University Online is pleased to announce the following awards of distinction to the following faculty:

Evie Lenardos

FACULTY OF THE YEAR: EVIE LENARDOS

The Instructor of the Year award is presented to Evie Lenardos recognizing her as the faculty member who has excelled in the role of teacher. Evie Lenardos’ approach to instruction exemplifies effective teaching providing a positive impact on student success. She is also recipient of the Partners In Excellence Life-time Achievement award, highest award by Walt Disney World for going above and beyond her scope of work and Who’s Who in Colleges and Universities. Evie’s passion for her students and instructional standards of quality are evident in her approach to student learning. A favorite quote supporting her commitment to students is; “Every calling is great when greatly pursued.” Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Business Management and Human Resource Management are the field of study that Evie Lenardos dedicates her time in the classroom and to the community. Her commitment to quality education is observable through a community program developing successful teachers in today’s philosophy flexible learning environment. For an example, she has facilitated a program seminar titled “Inspire” to help new instructors to learn how to integrate technology with classroom learning that teaches to visual, auditory, and tactile learners.

Evie’s success as a faculty member is evident by her instructional philosophy for teaching “Give more than is expected in assignments, rather than just reiterate from a text book. One of the most important factors is providing solid feedback because it encourages students to try working harder to achieve their goal.” Evie is a person who is uncompromising about quality. Whether it is in the students she teaches or the course she develops, Evie insists that high quality prevails to help her students get the most value from their learning experience. Evie’s students share their insight to the level of instructional quality she provides:

“Evie is a fantastic instructor and I really enjoyed the class. She is understanding and helpful and I would love to take another class with her. Thank you Evie for all your help.”

“Evie is a wonderful instructor and I would love to have her as an instructor again. She shows that she cares, displays concern and is always willing to help when help is needed.”

“I would definitely take this a course from this instructor. She was very informative and understanding. Thank you”

“Professor Lenardos was always present during discussion and always available for questions.”

“I really learned a lot in this class as to how to manage not only work but personal life through the perspective of some of the lessons that were taught in this class. It was very helpful and gave me more insight into Group Management!!”

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD: DR. KATHY HYATT

Kathy Hyatt

The Annual Faculty Scholarship Award is presented to Dr. Hyatt, recognizing her for making the most significant contribution during the 2008 award year through the scholarship of teaching and the academic discipline of Business in which she teaches.

Publications and Presentations:

• Hyatt, Katherine. (February, 2009). Understanding Motivation Theories in the Classroom: Developing Classroom Activities and Utilizing Best Practices. Southern Business and Marketing Education Conference Presentation. Athens, GA.
• Hyatt, Katherine. (April, 2008). Management Skills Required for Successful Business. Around Town Small Business Journal.
• Hyatt, Katherine. (June, 2008). Human Resources Management. Around Town Small Business Journal.
• Hyatt, Katherine. (2007). The influence of leadership practices on subordinates’ perceived organizational support in MBA students. Doctoral Dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
• Figiel, Victoria L., Hyatt, Katherine, and McConnell, C. Jeffery. (2005). J.M. Smuckers Company: A review of the financial condition, industry issues and economic environment. The Applied Business Research Conference Proceedings. January, Orlando, Florida.
• Hyatt, Katherine. (2004). Various flat tax proposals analyzed; indications of advantages, disadvantages, and tax burdens. The Applied Business Research Conference Proceedings. March, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
• Hyatt, Katherine. (2004). The Flat Tax Examined: According to the Top Down Policy Making Process. The Applied Business Research Conference Proceedings. March, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Dr. Hyatt’s philosophy of teaching is “the sharing of knowledge between the instructor and students. Teaching provides the opportunity to educate and challenge others as well as myself. Inspiring others as to the value of learning in life is part of my role as an instructor. Students have unique life experiences which the instructor can blend with theory and drawn upon important to facilitate the course. It is important to help students gain opportunities in the market through their education and so it is important that they understand and can apply the course material. Students also develop work ethic, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which are invaluable.”

FACULTY SERVICE AWARD: DR. DIRK STEVENS

Dirk Stevens

The Annual Faculty Service Award is presented to Dr. Stevens recognizing him for making the most significant contribution in service to the University and the community during the 2008 award year.

Dr. Stevens teaches advanced business courses such as Decision Making involving quantitative analysis and decision making relationships; simulation and risk analysis, linear programming and sensitivity analysis; and integer linear programming to name a few concepts in business decision making. Dr. Stevens provides business program students and faculty a wealth of experience and knowledge with over 25 years in business serving key leadership and management roles that include vice president quality, vice president corporate quality services and reliability engineering, director corporate quality systems, director of global manufacturing, director of quality North American operations and plant quality manager. His educational credentials include a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Science and a MBA providing a successful combination of industry and academic experience.

Dr. Stevens demonstrates exemplary academic service outside of his office hours helping other instructors by providing evening teleconferences for their students or having his phone number posted in other instructors’ courses so he can provide additional assistance to business students studying business decision making. He provides community support for the business program by sharing ideas on how to improve the curriculum ensuring it meets industry standards.

Students share their insight regarding the quality of support and experience he provides:

“Dr. Stevens continually offered assistance to me each week. He went out of his way to assist me in under-standing the “why” of the content and the “how” to being successful.”

“Dr. Stevens is one of the best instructors Herzing is fortunate to have. He has been one of the most helpful to all students. He is organized and very timely on assignments and grading. His examples and lectures are excellent. He offers his time for those who need the extra help with difficult concepts. He is very fair and extremely involved in his class. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to learn under his guidance and would love to take another course with him as the instructor.

This was a very challenging course and his influence has made this a very enjoyable class. Thank you, Dr. Stevens.”

“He is a remarkable teacher and makes sure that he is available to answer any questions. I have learned a lot in his class and I greatly appreciate the experience.”