Thursday, April 06, 2017

UNCW faculty gathered Wednesday to recognize retirees and hear presentations from two distinguished colleagues during the spring faculty meeting.

Carrie Clements, recipient of the 2017 Board of Governors’ Excellence in Teaching Award, and Amy Kirschke, recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award, spoke at the event.

“The accomplishments of the UNCW faculty are so numerous that it’s often difficult to choose several outstanding faculty to present at special events,” said Provost Marilyn Sheerer. “When we listen to the scholarly work presented, we are even more aware of the excellent research, teaching and community engagement that represent the strength and soul of our university.”

In her remarks, Clements, a professor in the Department of Psychology, told the faculty they have the most exciting job in the world despite the ever-increasing workloads.

“As faculty members, we each hold knowledge about some specialized aspect of life, some expertise or specialty that got us here,” she said. “But what makes this job so electric is that we have the ability to feel those dynamic currents every day, as we share discovery and inquiry with our students and our colleagues here and elsewhere.”

Amy Kirschke, professor and chair of the Department of Art and Art History, presented research that chronicles the use of political cartoons during World War I created by African American artists, and how these cartoons were used to build a collective identity and collective memory within the black community. Kirschke has presented her work in Belgium, France and the United States.

“While white newspapers stressed ‘patriotism’ in their coverage of the war, black newspapers were focused on patriotism and bravery, but also on issues of racial terrorism, treatment of black soldiers, equal education, opportunities to migrate north, and more,” she said. “Editorial cartoons could direct readers to a point or an issue instantly, and were used regularly to help unite the black community and inspire action for change.”

The opportunity to share her research was an honor, Kirschke said. “My research is related to the core of who I am as a person, and after my family, is the passion of my life.”

Twenty-two retired and 12 faculty members who are entering phased retirement or ending phased retirement were honored during the meeting.

-- Venita Jenkins

#AA