David Webb has been selected as the recipient of the SC4 Distinguished Faculty Award for 2021. Webb has been a professor of biology for 24 years at the college, teaching introductory biology and zoology.
His colleagues describe him as an endlessly curious person who lives what he teaches. He is passionate about birds and, when not in the classroom, is likely out observing them and other parts of nature. His knowledge of insects, parasites, birds, ecology, comparative anatomy, and general biology is “truly amazing,” according to one of his nominators.
Webb has traveled all over the United States in search of unseen species of birds and their habitats. He’s also an avid reader, not just about biological topics, but also other areas of science, American history, psychology, and politics. He’s well known for being the first person in the Clara E. Mackenzie Building every day, often working with students who need extra time to learn their course material, and he’s also a regular tutor in the Achievement Center.
“I go to him with my questions,” said fellow biology professor Bob Moldenhauer, “and I cannot remember an instance where he didn’t know the answer.”
Also nominated this year were Sarah Flatter, Arts and Graphic Design; Jim Jones, Criminal Justice; and Julie Perry, Nursing.
The Professional Development Committee annually coordinates nominations of faculty by their faculty peers for the Distinguished Faculty Award. As a member of NISOD our DFA nominees and winner are also submitted for the NISOD Excellence Award.
The winner is awarded a Golden Apple by the chair and also receives a $1,000 stipend to use towards professional development. NISOD provides medals to all of the nominees and a plaque for the winner, all of which are given to the parties at the all-faculty-in-service the following Fall semester.
