SCICU honors Jachens for teaching excellence
Pictured with Jachens from left is Todd Voss, SWU president; Jane Dill, chair of SWU’s Division of Fine Arts; Jachens; Sandra McLendon, dean of SWU’s School of Education; and Kathy McKinney, Chair of the SCICU Board of Trustees.
Darryl Jachens, professor of music at Southern Wesleyan University, is among 20 professors who were honored for Teaching Excellence by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) at the 10th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner held April 14.
Each of the 20 member institutions of the SCICU consortium selects one faculty member to receive the award, which includes a professional development grant of $3,000 for the professor. Each recipient is chosen by his or her institution according to rigorous criteria.
"I am most grateful to be selected for this honor. It has inspired me to develop further in my role as a teacher," Jachens said.
Jachens has served as a SWU Fine Arts Division faculty member since 1987. With his assistance, the SWU Music Department was selected for membership in the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) in 2008. In April 2014, Jachens was named Faculty Member of the Year for 2014-15 and received the Ken Dickens Award for Excellence in Teaching.
“This year’s award recipients demonstrated a remarkable blend of scholarship, passion, commitment, and the ability to motivate students to new heights,” said Kathy McKinney, Chair of the SCICU Board of Trustees.
The award ceremony is part of SC Independent College and University Week (April 13- 17), which was recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Nikki Haley.
SCICU was established in 1953 with the primary mission of promoting independent higher education in South Carolina. SCICU seeks to advance independent higher education through fundraising, scholarships, research, and by facilitating collaborative activities among the 20 member institutions, which educate nearly 33,000 students each year.
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.