Dr. Irene Boland Receives Phi Kappa Phi Excellence in Teaching Award (4/1/00)

Dr. Irene Boland, assistant professor of geology, was one of this year’s two recipients of the Phi Kappa Phi Excellence in Teaching Awards.  Boland, who taught part time at Winthrop between 1980 and 1990, came to work full time in 1993.  She earned her B.A. and M.A.T.degrees from Winthrop and her master’s and doctoral degrees from USC.  Active in both state and national geological societies, Boland is fascinated with her work, especially geological mapping, structural geology and the tectonic evolution of the Carolina terrane, an enthusiasm that her students find contagious.

For more than 25 years,the Winthrop University Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has selected one or two outstanding faculty members to receive the annual Excellence in Teaching Award.  This award is entirely student-directed;any student may nominate a faculty member.  The selection committee is composed of five student members of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society. The recipient is selected on the basis of knowledge and presentation of the subject, enthusiasm, fairness, encouragement and motivation of students, concern for students, and overall effectiveness as a teacher.  This year, the selection committee received more than 100 student nominations.Boland was presented with the award during the spring PKP induction ceremony, April 9, at the College of Education Auditorium.