2015 Faculty Excellence Award Recipients

Bethel faculty members nominate a fellow colleague who has represented excellence in the area of scholarship, teaching, or service each spring. The nominees are chosen for each category by a committee of their peers. During Faculty Retreat the following fall, the recipients are announced. Congratulations to these three faculty members, for recognition of their dedication to their work, their students, and to Bethel. 

Nathan Lindquist, Assistant Professor of Physics
Faculty Excellence Award for Scholarship

Lindquist’s first-rate research during his Bethel years has resulted in 22 peer-reviewed papers, including papers in Nature Communications and ACS Nano. He has been principal or co-principal investigator of two ongoing National Science Foundation (NSF) grants that heavily support undergraduate research and the nationally-recognized, advanced laboratory teaching program at Bethel. Multidisciplinary work in chemistry, physics, medical science, and electrical engineering has thrived in his Nanolab. His most recent NSF grant develops chemical imaging, holographic, and microscopic techniques that enable new science and engineering tools in medicine.

Gary Long, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies
Faculty Excellence Award for Service

While Long has demonstrated service through involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Bladder Cancer Awareness Network, he has been commended for his servant leadership during Bethel’s recent financial challenges. Long advocated for faculty participation in the university’s prioritization and review process, convincing both faculty and the administration of the need for it. The resulting collaboration led to better decisions for the institution as a whole and greater faculty engagement.

Sara Wyse, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences
Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching

Wyse is among the top discipline-based education researchers and teachers nationally; her commitment to the Christian community forms the core of her pedagogy. She combines scientific teaching with biblical worldview to create a transformative learning experience. Her cooperative approach is modeled on Jesus’s team of apostles. Each team member invests in the success of others. She offers support to all, celebrating the diverse abilities, varied backgrounds, and unique goals of each. Wyse is masterful in supporting and challenging students to become deep learners who strive for excellence.