SGA Names Faculty Members of the Year

Zachary Arth, Assistant Professor of Sports Communication. Source: Courtesy of Marist College

On April 6, the Student Government Association (SGA) presented the Faculty of the Year Award to eight faculty. After a three-day voting period between March 31 and April 2, students filled out a nomination form for one professor or more from one of the six schools, including part-time faculty and then voted on those nominated. 

Upon receiving an email from members of SGA the day before the ceremony, Assistant Professor of Sports Communication Zachary Arth was completely surprised to be nominated. 

“I seriously thought it was a joke,” he said. “I had to confirm with a fellow faculty member that it was actually a real event. Then, once I got there, and they called my name as the winner, I was twice as surprised.” 

Nominated in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Carolyn Matheus, Professor of Information Systems, was delighted to receive the award because teaching is a passion of hers.

“I feel grateful to have a career at Marist, my alma mater, spending my days pursuing what I am passionate about,” she said. “Teaching and empowering students to discover what they have to offer the world brings me tremendous joy.”  

Regardless of being nominated or winning the award, Matheus still planned on attending the event.  

“I want to support my fellow colleagues who have dedicated their careers to working with students in higher education,” she said. “I also wanted to be there to support the students who are involved in nominating and selecting the faculty award recipients and hosting such a meaningful event for us all to celebrate.” 

The following faculty members also received the award for their respective schools: Emma Fredrick in the School of Social and Behavioral Science; John Finnigan in the School of Management; Moira Fitzgibbons in the School of Liberal Arts; Molly Lee in the School of Science; and Steven Rossi and Thomas Reilly as Part-Time faculty.

Offered once a year and hosted by the Student Council, the Faculty of the Year Award is a way for students to express their appreciation for professors who make a difference in their lives. 

“I do think that students must feel I’m a pretty good professor; otherwise, I wouldn’t have been the recipient of this award,” Arth said. “But, I feel this is more a testament to how I engage with the students on a human level, and that means more than anything to me.”