Marian University Staff And Faculty Earn Recognition Awards

FOND DU LAC, Wis. — Marian University recognized several faculty and staff members for their work and dedication to the local community at the annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony. 


Andrea Wolf, admission counselor anacademic advisor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, was awarded the Academic Advising Excellence Award. This award identifies positive role models for Marian students and acknowledges the importance the role academic advising plays in the University’s mission and core values and in students’ success. 


Brenda Stobbcoordinator of student successreceived the Staff of the Year award. The Staff of the Year award is given to an individual who makes exceptional contributions to the Marian University community in the areas of inspirational focus, community and service, innovation, and proactive leadership and learning. 


Leah Klapperichassociate professor of art therapy, was awarded the Service Learning Award. The Service Learning Award is given to an individual in recognition of activities in strengthening communities and enriching lives through service-learning. 


Marian University recognized Dr. Justin Ponder with the James R. Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. The Underkoffler criteria require that candidates “reflect the college’s mission, purpose and commitment to provide the very best undergraduate education.”  


Dr. Justin Ponder (pictured) is associate professor of English and chair of the English Department at Marian University where he teaches courses on Expository Writing, Argumentative and Research Writing, American Literature, African American Literature, and Film. His research has been published in The Journal of Popular Culture, Religion and the Arts. His book, The Word Was Made Film: Art Cinema and Theology, is forthcoming. 

The Underkofler award was established through an endowment fund created to honor Mr. James R. Underkofler by Alliant Energy, and is administered by the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Marian is one of five Wisconsin independent colleges eligible for the award.