COLLEGE HONORS ALLEN AND MUALLA FOR EXCELLENT TEACHING posted 9/2/04

Above (L to R): Allen, Caine, Mualla

Two Adrian College professors were recognized for their excellence in teaching during the Convocation ceremony Sept. 1.

Michael Allen, theatre, received the Ross Newsom Award for Outstanding Teaching. Allen has significantly revised and expanded the theatre program at Adrian. One of his most notable achievements was the development of a playwriting class, which results each year in the production of several student-written, student-performed plays. Many of these have been performed at regional festivals, have won awards and commendations and have been published in anthologies. He has frequently acted at the Croswell Opera House, and is serving his second term as chair there. He also serves on the board of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. Students find him a highly informative and entertaining instructor, one who introduces them to the magic of theatre.

Maher Mualla, chemistry, received the Teacher Excellence Award. Students call Mualla an effective, well-organized professor who is willing to assist them both inside and outside the classroom. He has served on a variety of College committees. He is also president of the non-profit organization Cambios, and is a member of the Lenawee-Hillsdale-Monroe Mathematics, Science & Technology Center Board, the Saint Joseph Academy/Montessori Children's House Board of Advisors, the Lenawee International Club Board, and the Lenawee County Emergency Planning Committee. His interest in chemistry and international affairs has taken him back to his native Syria, where he taught with a Fulbright Grant in 2002.

The Ross Newsom Award honors the memory of Ross Newsom (Adrian College class of 1936), and is sponsored by his sons.

The Teaching Excellence Award is sponsored by the Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church.

Also announced at convocation was the Frank and Shirley Dick Faculty Research Award.