{"articleDetail":{"publishDateDisplay":"September 4, 2026","summary":"Four faculty members were presented with awards during Geneva\u2019s Academic Convocation on August 26, 2026.","image":"site://geneva.edu/news/_assets/faculty-awardees-2026.jpg","tagItems":"[]","articleText":"Four faculty members were presented with awards during Geneva’s Academic Convocation on August 26, 2026. The annual awards celebrate exemplary scholarship, service, and teaching that embody the College’s mission of equipping students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Each awardee is determined by student and faculty nominations. \nProvost Melinda Stephens, PhD presented the awards; below is the transcript from Academic Convocation. \nExcellence in Scholarship Award — Daniel Williams, PhD, Associate Professor of English \n\nDan Williams, PhD - Excellence in Scholarship Award\n\nThe Excellence in Scholarship Award recognizes Faculty for breadth and depth of knowledge in their discipline which significantly enhances the intellectual climate of the College; contribution to the advancement of their field with recognition beyond the Geneva campus; and stimulation and direction of scholarly activity among students. \nThis year'apos;s recipient embodies these qualities in a uniquely creative way. A member of the Geneva faculty since 2013, he holds a bachelor'apos;s degree from the University of Southern Maine, an MFA from Stonecoast, and a PhD from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. \nAs a scholar, writer, artist, and mentor, he engages audiences both within and beyond the classroom. Through his leadership in creative writing, student publications, and the Geneva Reading Series, he has helped foster a vibrant culture of creativity and scholarship on our campus. His commitment to mentoring students as writers, editors, and creators has left a lasting impact on countless members of the Geneva community. \nMost recently, his scholarship found expression through the publication of his first novel Misbehaving in Maine: 30 Half-Learned Lessons, a collection of humorous, thoughtful, and deeply human reflections on growing up in rural Maine. Demonstrating the breadth of his creative gifts, he not only authored the book but also illustrated it himself, bringing together literary and visual artistry in a work that is uniquely his own. \nPlease join me in congratulating the recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Scholarship Award, Dr. Daniel Williams, Associate Professor of English. \nOutstanding Service Award — Kim Arata, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communication \n\nKim Arata, PhD - Outstanding Service Award\n\nIt is my honor to present the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes faculty members who serve the College and our community, both internally and externally. \nUnder this faculty member’s leadership, the College has expanded its community outreach, providing free speech and language services to community members while creating valuable clinical experiences for Geneva students. This faculty member has built partnerships with local organizations, supported area schools through screenings and resources, and created innovative programs such as the Beaver Falls Book Club, which brings together preschoolers, families, and Geneva students to foster a love of language and literacy. \nHer service extends beyond our region as well. Through her scholarship and professional presentations, she is helping shape important conversations about spiritually responsive care and the role of the humanities in communication sciences and disorders. \n[This professor earned a BA in communication disorders from Geneva College, an MA in speech-language pathology from Ball State University, and a clinical doctorate in speech pathology from Loma Linda University.] \nWhether serving children, mentoring students, supporting professionals, or strengthening community partnerships, she demonstrates the grace, generosity, and commitment to service that define Geneva College at its best. \nPlease join me in congratulating the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Service Award, Assistant Professor of Communication, Dr. Kim Arata. \nExcellence in Part-Time Teaching Award — Professor William Kofmehl, Adjunct Associate Professor of Visual Arts \n\nBill Kohfmel - Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award\n\nAt this time, I will introduce the winner of the Excellence in Part-time Teaching Award.  The criteria for this award includes classroom teaching ability, educational leadership, creativity in teaching and methodology, course and program development, and enhancement of the educational climate and opportunities at Geneva. \nThis year'apos;s recipient of the Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award has served Geneva College since 2016. A highly accomplished commissioned artist, he was drawn to Geneva by the opportunity to mentor students in the practice of fine art within a framework shaped by Scripture and a Christian worldview. \nHolding a BA in Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA from Yale University, this faculty member brings exceptional training and expertise to his work as an adjunct professor in the communication design program. His world-class education has proven invaluable to our students and the development of the program. \nMuch of his work takes place behind the scenes in the basement of Old Main, where his dedication to students and the arts is evident. He exemplifies the Geneva spirit through remarkable resourcefulness, often contributing his own time, materials, and professional expertise to enrich the educational experience. Despite limited resources, he has demonstrated extraordinary determination in providing students with high-caliber artistic instruction and opportunities. \nDeeply engaged in Pittsburgh'apos;s vibrant arts community, he regularly arranges visits to artists'apos; studios, exposing students to the professional art world firsthand. Through the relationships he has cultivated, he has also secured significant donations of equipment that have strengthened the program and enhanced student learning. \nPerhaps most importantly, he invests personally in his students. He frequently meets with them one-on-one, encouraging the development of their artistic gifts while also pointing them toward the love of Jesus Christ. The lasting impact of his mentorship is reflected in the many graduates who continue to seek his guidance and maintain contact with him long after they leave Geneva. Through his ongoing encouragement and genuine care, he has influenced not only their artistic growth but also their personal and spiritual development. \nPlease join me in recognizing the 2026 Excellence in Part-Time Teaching award recipient, Professor. William Kofmehl.  \nExcellence in Teaching Award — Sarah Dickinson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology \n\nSarah Dickinson, PhD - Excellence in Teaching Award\n\nOur last award of the morning is the Excellence in Teaching Award. The criteria for this award includes classroom teaching ability, educational leadership, creativity in teaching and methodology, course and program development, and enhancement of the educational climate and opportunities at Geneva.  \nLet me start by sharing some student comments. \n[This Faculty Member] teaches in a way that encourages you to love what you'apos;re learning.\"quot; \n\"quot;For [this faculty member], faith integration isn'apos;t just a slide at the beginning of the term, but it pervades the whole semester because his work is the topic we'apos;re studying.\"quot; \n\"quot;Such dense subject matter could have been the most insufferable and incomprehensible nightmare of a class if left to any other hands, but has been to me an inspiration that this matter is what I could be happy studying …. for the rest of my life.\"quot; \n\"quot;She brings her enthusiasm for what she is teaching which motivates me to want to learn and makes the class very enjoyable.\"quot; \n\"quot;She made me really love her class just by her teaching skills and character and I became even more interested in my major because of her.\"quot;  \nThis professor has been a member of the Geneva Faculty since 2021. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Roberts Wesleyan College and a PhD from the University of Rochester. \nIt is my privilege to announce the recipient for the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Sarah Dickinson. ","author":null,"publishDate":"2026-09-04","type":"News Release","title":"Faculty Awards Presented at the 2026 Academic Convocation","imageDesc":"Professors Dan Williams and Matt Kickasola at Academic Convocation","url":"/article/faculty-awards-presented-at-the-2026-academic-convocation","blogCategories":"","id":"62e3435cac0a24047bcba743e1131b5e","detailUrl":"/news/faculty-awards-presented-at-the-2026-academic-convocation.json","sourcePath":null,"slug":"faculty-awards-presented-at-the-2026-academic-convocation"}}