On Tuesday, September 10, Career & Professional Development announced the 2019 Faculty Career Champion Award winners at the 3rd annual Faculty Career Champion breakfast celebration. Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Interim Provost Corrine Lengsfeld greeted over 120 Faculty Career Champions. This student nominated award focuses on faculty members who have made an impact on students’ career and professional development path. We received over 230 unique nominees from students with many faculty receiving multiple nominations. Year after year, DU faculty help our students succeed and reach their career achievement milestones. At this event, each faculty member received a letter with the quotes from the students that nominated them.
When reviewing the quotes from students, the selection committee found it very difficult to narrow down the nomination list and make a decision on the award winners. Based on the number and quality of the student nominations, three Faculty Career Champions were chosen this year and were recognized at the event. Katherine Tennis, Assistant Teaching Professor with the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, was awarded the Undergraduate Faculty Career Champion. Katherine’s work with Korbel undergraduate students has been life changing. View Katherine’s nomination video.
Alexi Freeman, Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of Externships & Public Interest Initiatives with the Sturm College of Law, was awarded the Graduate Faculty Career Champion. She has worked tirelessly helping Sturm Law students succeed and gain real world experience. This was evident by the record number of students who nominated her. View Alexi’s nomination video.
This year, the selection committee also overwhelming agreed to award a Faculty Career Champion Lifetime Achievement Award to Ronald J. Rizzuto, Endowed Chair and Professor of Finance with the Daniels College of Business, for his ongoing and outstanding career advocate work and partnerships across campus. For over 40 years, Ron has demonstrated that he truly embraces the “One DU” mindset by sharing career opportunities from alumni and employers that reach out to him with all of the career services offices across campus. View Ron’s nomination video.
Career & Professional Development would like to congratulate all of the faculty nominees for their tireless work and effort guiding students in their career and professional development journeys. Nominations by students for the 2020 Faculty Career Champion award will begin in the Spring Quarter. Contact Career & Professional Development for more information.