Mike Ellerbrock, an economics professor and former recipient of the award by the Division of Student Affairs, said he is truly honored by the award because he has such a passion about his career.
"I feel that I was nominated by this award because hopefully students realize how much I care about them and about economics," Ellerbrock said. "I love teaching because education builds a better world by building better people. I am all for education at all levels, and I really enjoy teaching Tech students because they are very highly motivated and quite mature individuals."
Penven said the awards banquet is a time for faculty and the students that nominated them to spend quality time together.
"We ask for a student or two to speak about why they nominated the teacher that they did," Penven said. "We typically ask the faculty member to talk about why they have found it worthwhile to invest the time with students that they do. The bulk of this reception is for the faculty to see how appreciated they are because they do not often hear that their work is noticed and really appreciated."
Chris Neck, associate professor of management, said he was also the recipient of the similar award given by the Alumni Association.
"I have won a lot of really great awards on campus, but the one that I give the most value to is the favorite faculty award because it is given by the students," Neck said. "There is no one that knows more about what you are doing in the classroom than the students. If you really try to make the class interesting and exciting, that is something that the students will respond to."
Neck added that the award is the pinnacle of awards he has received.
"I feel a lot of emotions when I think of that award," Neck said. "I feel validation, knowing that I have done a good job. I feel a sense of appreciation, and it is really a motivator for me."
Neck said this is his last year at Tech, so the award was very significant.
"To get the award this year meant the most to me," Neck said. "There is a sadness to leaving here, but the number of students that impacted my life during my time here is amazing.
When I teach someone, I do not teach them for the semester - I teach them for life."
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