Outstanding Faculty Nominations

Three VMI professors have been nominated for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Outstanding Faculty Awards, which have recognized college faculty for excellence in teaching, research, and public service for more than 30 years. Col. Spencer Bakich, professor of international studies, is nominated in the Baccalaureate category. Also nominated in the Baccalaureate category is Lt. Col. Ashleigh Smyth, associate professor of biology. Maj. Michael LaRocca, assistant professor of psychology has been nominated in the Rising Star category. Each submission completed by the dean’s office includes details on each person’s accomplishments, recognition, teaching style, research, service to the Institute and community, as well as letters of support from colleagues and cadets. Recipients of the Outstanding Faculty Awards are announced in the spring.

McDonald Wins Jerome Stern Award

 Col. Rob McDonald’s essay “Imagining Harry Crews: The Landscape of A Childhood” won the 2022 Jerome Stern Award for the best article published in Studies in American Culture. The award was presented Oct. 13 at the annual meeting of the American Studies Association in the South in New Orleans, Louisiana. The article is the latest in a series of publications that combine photography and writing to explore significant places associated with literary figures. McDonald is a professor of English and fine arts and associate dean for academic affairs.