Faculty Recognition Convocation Honors
Lasallian Educator and Faculty marking special anniversaries
The Manhattan College community gathered on April 19 in the Chapel of De La Salle and His Brothers to announce the 2009-10 Lasallian Educator and honor faculty marking special anniversaries.
The College honored faculty members marking special anniversaries, including for the first time, those with more than 50 years of service: Dr. William Brown (54 years), associate professor of civil engineering; Prof. Alfred Manduley (52 years), assistant professor of marketing; Dr. Chester Nisteruk (60 years), professor of electrical engineering; and Dr. Lou Theodore (50 years), professor of chemical engineering. Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, president, awarded the Bonus et Fidelis Medal for 25 years of service to: Br. Christopher Dardis, professor emeritus of education; Dr. Behruz Fardanesh, associate professor of electrical engineering; and Dr. Lisa Toscano, assistant professor of physical education.
Dr. Brennan O’Donnell, president (center) stands with the faculty that were honored at the Faculty Recognition Convocation. L to r. Michael McCausland, Lisa Toscano, Behruz Fardenesh, Brennan O’Donnell, Alfred Manduley, William Brown, Br. Christopher Dardis, and Chester Nisteruk. (Not pictured: Louis Theodore)
Dr. Michael McCausland, assistant professor of psychology (pictured, above, top, with Dr. Mary Noberini and President O'Donnell), was recently named the Distinguished Lasallian Educator for 2009-2010. According to the citation, presented by Dr. Mary Noberini, associate professor of psychology, “Mike’s commitment to teaching is absolute and he is meticulous in his preparation. His lessons are models of clarity, impeccably organized so that students at every level of ability can understand important concepts and follow the flow of ideas. He is a master of the art of storytelling, supplying unforgettable examples of the behavioral concepts he is teaching. And his engaging sense of humor lightens up the classroom and tickles the fancy of his students.”
Dr. Noberini described Dr. McCausland as “attuned to the personhood of his students, that individual value and unique potential that characterizes each one of them … It reflects first his deep and abiding religious faith which recognizes God’s presence in each of us. And it has been fostered by his training as a psychotherapist to recognize and support an individual’s striving for growth and self-actualization.”
Reflecting on a personal note, Dr. Noberini said, “As I look back on our years together, I remember that Mike has often been willing to do the really hard or challenging tasks that needed to be done to keep the educational community functioning smoothly. [T]he most difficult job that he accepted was as Coordinator of the Cooperative Program. He undertook this responsibility as the cooperative program was drawing to a close, employing all of his tact, diplomacy and considerable interpersonal skill to manage a difficult and deteriorating relationship. Faculty of the cooperative departments, especially, are really grateful for those efforts.”
The citation concluded: “Mike you have been doing just that for thirty-four years. Calmly, quietly, sustained by your own faith, you have sustained the faith of your students in their own meaning and personal value. We assembled here today and the students that you have taught, thank you for those 34 years of distinguished service, Dr. Michael McCausland, Lasallian Educator for 2009-2010.”
