2021 Award Recipients

Thoburn Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipients

Angela Keysor

According to her colleagues at Allegheny College, the life of the mind lives in Angela Keysor’s classroom. In her five years on the History Department faculty, Professor Keysor has received praise for courses that insightfully raise questions of individual choice and responsibility. Her teaching emphasizes the power dynamics of gender and race and traces debates over justice and equality. As someone who began her undergraduate studies in biology, transitioned to law, and moved on to study and teach history, Professor Keysor truly possesses a perspective that spans disciplines.

Along with her exemplary reputation as an educator, students also gravitate toward Professor Keysor as a mentor; she is the person with whom they discuss their achievements, their academic struggles and aspirations, and their plans for the next phase of their lives. By getting to know her students’ interests, Professor Keysor is able to weave them into the fabric of her teaching, creating an atmosphere that no student is soon to forget.

“If you have ever met Professor Keysor or sat in her classroom just once, you know her passion for teaching and educating her students fills the room,” says Abigail Hughes ’19. “I have seen Professor Keysor jump for joy in her classroom. I have also seen her throw her hands up in defeat when talking about a hard topic. Professor Keysor is someone who was made to teach.”

“She is simply the finest educator I have ever worked with,” says Kalé Haywood, associate professor of history. “In visiting her classes, my key takeaway was her skill in orchestrating discussion to empower students. She talks with students; they are equal stakeholders in her classroom.”

Professor Keysor’s impact on student lives isn’t reserved for the classroom, either. For example, she gathered her daughter’s outgrown baby clothes and crib and gave them to a student when he unexpectedly discovered that he was about to become a father; she bought copies of a self-published book authored by a student who was struggling financially; she created five multi-semester course schedules to help a student graduate before their financial aid ended. Together, caring and powerful acts like these demonstrate that Professor Keysor embodies excellence in critical areas necessary for learning and living.

“I have never in my four years of college or my 25 years of life worked with someone who made me feel so confident in my own abilities,” says Bridgit Stack ’17. “She took the time to get to know me as a student, and, outside of learning my name, she knew my work, my passions for history, and other topics. She saw me as a whole person — not just a student — and I will always be forever grateful for everything she has done for me.”

Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipients

Rodney Clark

Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Rodney Clark is a life-changing educator. Known for encouraging scientific rigor in students’ thinking and inspiring a passion for research in many of his mentees, it’s no surprise that his influence remains with students long after their time at Allegheny.

“Dr. Clark changed the way I saw the world within a few weeks. I found myself thinking about the world and my place in it differently,” says Sara St. Peter ’14.

Since joining the Allegheny faculty in 1990, Professor Clark has demonstrated an unflagging commitment to the student experience.

“In faculty meetings, he is invaluable as an advocate for supporting students to present their work at conferences and helping us retain a longer institutional memory as many of our senior faculty have retired,” notes Professor of Psychology Jennifer Foreman. “I appreciate his integrity and consistent student-centered approach.”

According to his students, Professor Clark is one of those rare teachers who realizes that he can learn as much from his students as they can from him. Often incorporating humor into his teaching methods, Professor Clark’s lectures have become something students look forward to. He keeps his class discussions relevant and captivating, all while remaining fair and respectful.

Shannon Adkins ’04 recalls that “Dr. Clark’s classes were never quiet. I think it was his teaching style. Someone was always asking a question.”

It’s this approach that has captured the adoration of so many students, who consistently praise Professor Clark’s lectures for not just being lectures, but informal discussions.

“This was the first time in my education where I did not feel like the teacher was talking at me, but encouraged me to have a voice,” adds Jesse Menard ’99. “His classes and labs were active and exciting. I had always been a good student, but he made me love school.”

In addition to being an excellent educator, Professor Clark is also a devoted mentor and friend, going above and beyond to help students with ideas for their Senior Comp, making sure they take the classes they need to graduate on time, and much more.

“I am amazed how he can be so calm and stable around a lot of crazy seniors, but he more than manages us,” Krystal Baldwin ’08 says. “He is there for us to lean on and help us with problems that we don’t even know how to deal with.”

Adds Michael Roth ’08: “Before I met Dr. Clark, I had no idea what I wanted to do after Allegheny for a career or continuing my education. However, after many conversations he counseled me on the field I am now in and loving. He was not my advisor, but he was always available to help lend a helping hand or to just listen and provide advice.”

Robert T. Sherman Distinguished Service Award Recipients

Debbie Zinz

With 33 years of experience at Allegheny College, Associate Registrar Debbie Zinz has devoted her time and expertise to crucial work that no one would likely notice unless it goes wrong. But time and again, Debbie has ensured that these important operations are carried out not only accurately but also efficiently. With a wealth of institutional knowledge often rivaling user manuals and historical records, she has proven to be a tremendous asset to the College throughout her career.

“I do not know how large areas of the College would run without Debbie, and not just the Registrar’s Office,” says Ian Binnington, dean for student success and professor of history and Black studies. “She knows the interior workings of our systems and processes as well as anyone on campus and is constantly being asked to help troubleshoot problems in departments in which she does not work. If you bring her a problem, I would bet you money that she will find a solution — one that is sensible and sustainable.”

Through the detailed and careful execution of her daily work in the Registrar’s Office, Debbie has supported growth and creativity in the exceptional academic programs that the College offers. COVID-19 presented plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong in 2020 and 2021, but by and large, they did not — and much of that success is due to Debbie’s tireless energy and work ethic in the face of many challenges.

No student would graduate from Allegheny without Debbie, quite literally. Every year, she goes through individual degree audits by hand and diligently assists hundreds of students to ensure they complete their degrees on time. She is therefore an advisor to every student who passes through Allegheny’s doors. Debbie’s familiarity with the curriculum also allows her to advise faculty and departments on their offerings and programs.

In addition to her exemplary service in the Registrar’s Office, Debbie has also found time to go above and beyond her position. For example, she has volunteered at COVID-19 testing sites and assisted with Move-in, where she has greeted families and carried student belongings to their rooms.

“Her accomplishments won’t make the news, and if she does her job right, most people won’t have to remember that she is there at all,” adds Binnington. “But she is. Keeping the institution alive, making sure that students graduate on time, that their records are accurate, and that they know she cares about them. This is what makes Allegheny great. This is what makes the College such a special place to learn and work.”