Two AC faculty receive prestigious Mead Faculty Excellence Awards

Two members of the Amarillo College faculty whose dedication to student success has been widely hailed by the students themselves have been named recipients of AC’s prestigious John F. Mead Faculty Excellence Award.

Dr. Jonathan Jenkins, assistant professor of biology, and Catherine Stout, instructor of nursing, each received AC’s foremost faculty accolade during the College’s twin commencement exercises on May 10 at the Amarillo Civic Center.

The Award is given annually to outstanding members of the faculty who have had a particularly positive impact on students, the College, and the community.

The Award is named after a remarkable former AC president, Dr. John F. Mead, whose unique contributions included leading the College over an 11-year span during the challenging 1930s and 40s, serving in the armed forces during World War II, and returning to AC in the 1960s as a full-time teacher.

“There is no doubt that both of these outstanding individuals deserve this, our highest faculty recognition,” Interim President Denese Skinner said. “Their commitment to scholarship and student success is absolute. Their work is transformative for our students and inspiring to the entire College community.”

Stout, who received the Mead Award during the 3 p.m. commencement ceremony, received multiple nominations, one from a student who described her as someone who embodies the essence of kindness, care, and inspiration. That student went on to say: “Her influence on me was profound, especially evident during our clinical rotation. Observing her, I saw the epitome of nursing – empathy, care and respect that were consistent regardless of the situation. I’ll always strive to be a like her – as a person and with my patients.”

Another student nominator stated that Stout is “absolutely the best instructor I’ve had in all the time I’ve been attending Amarillo College. Her compassion and love for teaching are unmatched!”

Stout, herself a graduate of the Nursing Program at Amarillo College, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both in nursing, from West Texas A&M University (WTAMU).

Jenkins, the Mead recipient during the 7 p.m. ceremony, also received numerous nominations for the award, one from a student who wrote, “He made learning enjoyable and has been a wonderful role model through his enthusiasm and dedication…he positively influenced my mindset and helped me to see the value in my education…he prepares students to succeed in their academic and their personal lives.”

Another student weighed in by saying of Jenkins: “This is a teacher who made my grades come up and made me want to study outside of class for the first time in my life. He deserves more than this award, he deserves for the world to know that he cares about his students and wants more than anything for them all to succeed.”

In accepting his accolade, Jenkins, who has three degrees from WTAMU, including a doctorate in education, said: “I would just like to say that for the students who have sat in my classroom, who I’ve taught, who have gone on to do great things and will continue to do great things, I got your back. I’m honored by this award. It reinforces my calling in education, and I will continue to have your back.”