NEWS RELEASE
March 9, 2006

Faculty Honored at Huntingdon Founders Day Convocation

Montgomery, AL -- During the Huntingdon College Founders Day Convocation last month, two members of the Huntingdon faculty were honored by their peers for excellence in teaching.  Dr. C. Jason Borders, assistant professor of religion, was honored with the Dr. and Mrs. John N. Todd III Award for Excellence in Teaching, and  Dr. Jeremy R. T. Lewis, professor of political science, was honored with the Exemplary Teacher Award....

The Exemplary Teacher Award, made possible by a gift from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, is given annually to a senior, tenured faculty member who has not been given the award during the past five years. Dr. Lewis earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy, politics, and economics from Keble College, University of Oxford, and a second master's degree and doctorate in American government and international relations from Johns Hopkins University.  He has taught at Huntingdon since 1996, and previously taught at Wellesley College, Colby College, the University of Northern Iowa, and City University of New York.  Lewis is active in the World Affairs Council and has published and presented prolifically on a wide variety of topics related to politics, public policy, public administration, and international relations.

"Dr. Lewis has developed a rigorous program in political science that challenges his students and prepares them to be successful in law school or graduate school.  He has a record of sending students to great law schools consistently since he has been at Huntingdon, and I feel confident and prepared as I apply to law schools now," said Walker Garrett, a senior political science major from Columbus, Georgia.

Alexander Zachos, a junior political science major from Enterprise, said of Lewis, "He is an extraordinarily brilliant professor who cares about the well-being of his students, and strives to give them guidance along with all of the knowledge he possesses.  He has been a great influence on the student I have become, and has been a major factor in why I have succeeded so well academically at Huntingdon College."

The criteria for both awards states that the person selected "exemplifies excellence in teaching; civility and concern for students and colleagues; commitment to value-centered education; and service to students, the institution, and the community." The award recipients are chosen by a committee comprised of faculty, students, and alumni.

Huntingdon President J. Cameron West said, "Both of these faculty members are exemplary in their service to the community and to the College, as well as in their teaching.  Dr. Borders has included a service learning component to his New Testament course this year, offering extra credit to students who donate their time to participate in the FocusFirst program in this area.  He also teaches regularly in United Methodist local churches.  Dr. Lewis works with high school students and professionals through the World Affairs Council, and has offered numerous opportunities for his students to learn outside of the classroom by participating in these activities.  Dr. Borders and Dr. Lewis are leaders in the faculty at Huntingdon, and I'm so pleased they were selected by their peers for this recognition." ...