Three Faculty Honored for Outstanding Performance at Grace College

Three Grace College professors: Dr. Cheryl Bremer, Dr. Kelly Arney, and Pat Park, were recently honored for their outstanding contributions to the institution’s culture of service and academic excellence.

Dr. Cheryl Bremer, recently named dean of the School of Education, received the Ronald E. Manahan Award for Service. This award is given to a faculty member who exhibits remarkable professional service.

Grace College Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Laurie Owen said, “Cheryl represents a true servant’s heart as she models leadership skills through Grace’s chapter of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). Perhaps the best example of her service is watching students successfully take on the leadership roles she models so well. She empowers the students to be self-starters, motivators and engagers when planning and implementing dozens of events that support students and adults with disabilities.”

Bremer organizes Lunch Buddies, Respite Care, Mentors for Mentors, Cards for Cardinal Services, Transition Exploration Day, and Tim Tebow’s Night to Shine Prom Event. Her service is not only experienced in the Warsaw community, but also at a state and national level. She has been recognized twice as “Outstanding Special Education Professor” at Indiana’s CEC Conference and has presented original research at national CEC conferences.

Dr. Kelly Arney, professor of criminal justice, received the Alva J. McClain Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Arney completed her doctoral degree this year while continuing to thrive in her role as a professor. Arney’s course evaluations are a testament to this; they often voice Arney’s captivating teaching style and her outstanding ability to prepare students for their future work.

“It is truly an exceptional accomplishment to balance so many different areas of life with grace and compassion like Kelly did,” Grace College School of Behavioral Sciences Dean Dr. Kevin Roberts said. “Her scholarship, teaching and community efforts make her an outstanding candidate for the McClain Award,” he added.

The Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award was presented to Pat Park, a part-time instructor of theology and full-time pastor at Wawasee Heights Baptist Church. This award honors part-time faculty who go above and beyond in the classroom and facilitate excellent rapport with students.  Park has taught at Grace College since 2011 and is highly esteemed by students for his discussion-based teaching in the class “Essential Doctrinal Themes.”

“It was clear from the beginning that Pat has the heart and mind of a pastor and professor,” Dr. Tiberius Rata, associate dean of the Grace College School of Ministry Studies, said. “His temperament was clearly conducive to someone who can lead with humility while mastering the subject matter. And his evaluations continue to be stellar,” he said.