Three members of the Truett-McConnell College faculty and staff received recognition at the college’s annual Honors Day held on April 23, 2009.
Vicki Steele
Vicki Steele, associate professor of biology, was the recipient of the Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award. The award is presented each year to a Truett-McConnell faculty member who exhibits outstanding skills and abilities in classroom teaching and in related faculty work.
Vulcan Materials Company, based in Birmingham, AL, is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates, including crushed stone, sand and gravel that are used in nearly all forms of construction. Vulcan is also a major producer of other construction materials including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. The company employs approximately 11,000 people across the entire company. Vulcan was named to Fortune magazine’s list of American’s Most Admired Companies six times in the last ten years.
The Vulcan Materials Teaching Excellence Award is presented each year to a faculty member at Truett-McConnell College who exhibits outstanding skills and abilities in classroom teaching and in related faculty work. Mrs. Steels is an associate professor of biology, having been employed on the TMC faculty since 1990. During the 2008-2009 academic year, in addition to her teaching responsibilities Mrs. Steele has directed the college’s Compliance Certification study for reaffirmation of the college’s accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
A lifelong resident of Toccoa, GA, Mrs. Steele and her husband, Roger, a retired public school teacher, are the parents of two adult sons and the grandparents of two grandsons. She holds a Master of Education degree from North Georgia College and State University and a Specialist in Education certificate from Clemson University.
In announcing the college’s recipient for the 2009 Vulcan Materials award, Dr. Mike Simoneaux, vice president for academic services, said: “Vicki Steele exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding teacher. She is highly competent in teaching, she has the best interest of her students at heart, she performs any task she is asked to do with enthusiasm. I am pleased that her long and dedicated service to Truett-McConnell College and its students is being recognized in this award.”
T. Michael Davis
Dr. T. Michael Davis, assistant professor of mathematics, received the 2009 Award for Faculty Excellence from Truett-McConnell College. This award is given each year to a teaching faculty member in recognition of superior skills in classroom teaching and related responsibilities.
He and his wife, Joy, live in Cleveland and are the parents of two adult children. Dr. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College and State University, a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice University and a Ph.D. from Clemson University. His teaching responsibilities are in the disciplines of mathematics and physical science; in addition, he heads the college’s Quality Enhancement Program and chairs the Division of Mathematics, Science and Business. He joined the TMC faculty in 2007.
Cindy Erbele
Cindy Erbele, administrative assistant to the Vice President for Academic Services, was awarded the 2009 Presidential Achievement Award by TMC President Dr. Emir F. Caner. Each year the award goes to a staff member whose dedication to the institution is inspirational and whose service to the college, its faculty and students is exemplary.
A resident of White County, Cindy Erbele is an outstanding example of these qualities and is a deserving recipient of the award. She is the mother of two children: Martin Erbele, 20, and Allison Erbele, 18. She was initially employed by Truett-McConnell College in 2004.
