Four Trine faculty announced as Education Award winners

FORT WAYNE — Four Trine University faculty members have been announced as honorees for the 2017 Education Awards, presented by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

The awards recognize outstanding teachers in northeast Indiana who engage and inspire their students individually and as a group encouraging lifelong learning. According to a press release, the two out-of-state and one Fort Wayne judge expressed the difficulties of choosing just one winner in each category.

Trine University had the most awards of the local universities that had faculty named.

“The expert instruction and personal attention provided by Trine University faculty are key components of the quality education our students receive,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “We congratulate these faculty members for being recognized for their excellence, which is representative of the quality of our entire faculty at Trine.”

John Milliken, J.D., professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Services and assistant vice president for academic services, was named the winner of the IPFW Leadership Award for Higher Education.

James Canino, Ph.D., associate professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, was named the winner of the IPFW Emerging Star Award.

Mark Kays, director of instrumental music, was named Music Teacher of the Year.

Bill Maddock, associate professor in the Ketner School of Business, was named for Teaching Excellence in Sports.

“Each of these faculty members is not only skilled in their field and in imparting knowledge, they take the time to guide students who are making career and life choices,” said A. Allen Hersel, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs. “I’m proud that they have received these honors and proud of all the faculty at Trine who invest themselves in their students.”

“We received a record number of nominations this year, which is heartening. There are so many people in northeast Indiana who know the critical role teachers play in our region's growth and quality of life,” said Randy Mitchell, CEO of KPC Media Group Inc., and publisher of Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly. “We are truly privileged to be able to recognize and encourage these extraordinary teachers who are preparing our 21st-century workforce.”

The educators will be honored at a special awards dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum Conference Center, official host of all 2017 Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly events.

The 2017 Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly Education Awards are sponsored by the IPFW College of Education and Public Policy and the Questa Education Foundation.

Photo: From left, James Canino, Ph.D., associate professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Mark Kays, director of instrumental music, Bill Maddock, associate professor in the Ketner School of Business, and John Milliken, J.D., professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Services and assistant vice president for academic services.