Distinguished Teaching Award Presented at Holy Cross’ Annual Fall Convocation

WORCESTER, Mass. – Noel D. Cary, associate professor of history and member of the Holy Cross community since 1989, received the College’s 2008 Distinguished Teaching Award at the annual Fall Faculty Convocation and Awards Ceremony.

The Holy Cross Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes and honors the teaching excellence of the College’s faculty. Each year a selection committee of students, faculty, and administrators selects the honoree after careful review of nominations from individuals and groups on campus. Recipients demonstrate the College’s commitment to teaching and personalized instruction by making ideas come alive for students both in and out of the classroom. The Distinguished Teacher is invited to give an address to the faculty during the Faculty Convocation and is awarded a $1,000 honorarium.

“Students and colleagues praise Noel for his command of the material he teaches, for his clear and engaging lectures, for his passionate engagement with the events of history, and for his ability to ‘make even the most mundane subject come to life,’” said Timothy Austin, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College. “Noel is attentive to his students and colleagues, whether in class time, in office hours, or around the campus…above all, Noel is inspiring.”

Cary received his Ph.D. in history from the University of California, Berkley. In addition to his regular teaching responsibilities, he also served as director of the College Honors Program from 2001-03. He has received numerous fellowships and scholarships, including the Fulbright German Studies Award in 2000. Cary is the author of The Path to Christian Democracy: German Catholics and the Party System from Windthorst to Adenauer (1996), and has published several major articles in scholarly journals. His most recent research involves the Munich Olympics in 1972, during which Israeli athletes were held hostage by Palestinians and later killed.

Also honored at the Fall Convocation were faculty members Lynn Kremer, professor of theatre, and Frederick J. Murphy, Class of 1956 Professor and professor of religious studies. Both received the Rev. Raymond J. Swords, S.J., Faculty Medal, presented to members of the faculty who have served the College for 25 years or more.