Dr. Mary Beth Harris recipient of the 2020-2021 Mortvedt Award

Congratulations to Dr. Mary Beth Harris on being the recipient of the Mortvedt Award for 2020-2021 academic year. COVID delayed but did not stop our recognition of Dr. Harris’s successes. An example of what makes her such a perfect candidate for this award is what she loves most about teaching at Bethany College. Dr. Mary Beth Harris shares, “ I love teaching literature because playing with ideas and characters often gives students permission to ask and explore the big questions they have about life and its meaning, but in a way that relieves some of the tension or challenge of discussing difficult or sensitive topics. Talking about a character or how an author presents a story feels safer than talking about themselves. I also love teaching writing and showing students that it isn't some magical ability some people are born with, but a set of tangible, meaningful skills that they can get access to and utilize to empower themselves. At Bethany, I also appreciate the ways my teaching connects to the wider mission and service to the college, how interdisciplinarity supports our liberal arts mission or how developing programming like the Ascension Program allows us to support our students and show them they are capable of excellence.”

The most recent Mortvedt recipient will serve as the chairperson for the selection committee. Along with the honor of receiving this award, the selected faculty member is given a $1,000 personal grant, and his/her department receives $500 to be used for library materials or other enhancements to the department's program. The name of the recipient will be announced before Commencement (usually at the end-of-year employee dinner, although the format of the presentation has been disrupted due to COVID), and a nameplate added to the plaque in the Presser Hall lobby.