WILMINGTON — Two Wilmington College faculty members will be presented with 2016 Faculty Excellence Awards Frida, Nov. 18 at a banquet hosted by the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) at the Dayton Art Institute.
Elizabeth Haskins, assistant professor of music, and Dr. Bonnie J. Erwin, assistant professor of English, are among the faculty members from 10 SOCHE member colleges and universities that will be honored for their outstanding contributions to teaching and learning.
Dr. Erika Goodwin, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, will accompany the awardees at the banquet.
Haskins, a WC alumnus with a Master of Music degree from Miami University, has been a member of the music faculty since 1978.
Goodwin describes Haskins as “accomplished, enthusiastic and dedicated,” and said her selection for the award is based upon her “impressive scholarship,” which includes composing more than 50 works. Student testimonials lauding Haskins include: “She’s always positive and upbeat,” “very kind and willing to help,” “very knowledgeable on the material” and “very enthusiastic about the course.”
He compositions include My Garden published by Vivace Press in 2005, recorded on MSR Classics and performed in the United States, Canada and Germany. Also, MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Chorus commissioned her composition, Forever Changed, which was recorded on the DVD, I Am Forever Changed, produced by the Survivor Members of Breast Cancer Network of Western New York.
In addition to her teaching and composition work, Haskins is the longtime conductor and coach for two Wilmington College musical groups, the College-Community Chorus and the early music ensemble, Collegium Musicum. She is a past recipient of the College’s Distinguished Faculty Award presented by the Alumni Association.
Erwin, who has been a member of the English faculty since 2013, has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamilton College, a Master of Arts from SUNY Binghamton and her Ph.D. is from Indiana University.
Goodwin describes Erwin as “enthusiastic, helpful and positive,” and noted that, while she teaches a diverse range of courses, she most enjoys working with at-risk writers.
“Her evaluations testify to this passion, as students frequently say she has revolutionized their relationship to writing,” she said, noting Erwin directs the College’s Writing-in-the-Disciplines program.
Student testimonials to Erwin’s impact on student learning include, “She can help the worst writers improve and understand the work” and “Bonnie made me enjoy writing, something I have never enjoyed before.”
Erwin is a member of the Peace Resource Center Advisory Board, co-adviser for the student group, SPECTRA, and she co-chairs the Ohio Medieval Colloquium. She is an active scholar who regularly publishes articles, presents at national conferences and has a book manuscript underway.
