Academic coach of year awarded to Drenner at reception Tuesday
By Bill Morrison
Staff Reporter

Biology professor Ray Drenner was the first-ever academic coach of the year awarded at the Faculty Appreciation reception Tuesday.

The Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association honored Drenner and three other faculty members for their commitment and dedication to teaching.

Lisa Montgomery, a senior graphic design major, said most fraternities and sororities have had faculty as academic coaches and members felt it was time to recognize the professors for the work they do.

Drenner, the academic coach for the Pi Beta Phi sorority, said he is impressed by the sorority’s commitment to scholastic achievement.

“I think it is important to interact with students from the Greek,” Drenner said. “I like how they try to enhance scholarship.”

This was the first year the Pi Phi’s have had an academic coach, said Mariam Naizer, a senior advertising and public relations major and Pi Phi president. She said they decided to get a coach, because there is always room for improvement in grades.

Naizer said all of their members who had a class with Drenner enjoyed his style of teaching. She said he helps advise students on problems they have with classes or teachers.

“They really enjoy him,” Naizer said. “He gives extra support and is someone to turn to for help.”

Candidates were nominated by each fraternity and sorority and then the winners were chosen by a joint IFC and Panhellenic committee, Montgomery said. She said the committee took into account the number of times a faculty member was nominated and their achievements.

The other awards given out were: most charismatic, geology professor Nowell Donovan; most outstanding, religion professor Darren Middleton and most inspiring, social work professor Gail Wallace.

Bill Morrison