Class of 2023 Recognizes Faculty and Staff at Last Lecture
Members of St. Lawrence’s Class of 2023 nominated and selected Jeff Frank, associate professor of education and director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Assessment, to receive the 2023 Owen D. Young Outstanding Faculty Award and Dining Services employee Penny Vallance to receive the Kathleen Buckley Outstanding Staff Member Award.
The pair were recognized during the Last Lecture held on May 17.
Frank was selected for the Owen D. Young Outstanding Faculty Award in recognition of his dedication and commitment to the education and growth of students both in and out of the classroom.
During his address to the Class of 2023, he encouraged the soon-to-be-grads to live with interest, embrace not-knowing, and express gratitude.
“I hope you know, deep down, that no one can live your life but you. Live with interest, live with gratitude for the loves that called you into your bigger and ever-expanding self, and trust that our world needs your unique talent and perspective, not the masks you think you must wear,” he said.
As part of the award nomination process, students shared: he is “one of the most helpful and knowledgeable professors,” he will “go out of his way to make sure everyone is on the same page in his class,” and “he goes above and beyond just being a professor. He is also a great friend and ally.”
Frank expressed gratitude to the Class of 2023 for their tenacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through your persistence, you kept the heart of this campus beating,” said Frank. “I know many of you feel a great responsibility for preserving SLU’s traditions and vision, and I cannot thank you enough for that. I love this place. And I stand in awe of everything you did—individually and collectively—to keep St. Lawrence alive. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
During the event, the Class of 2023 gave Dining Services employee Penny Vallance a standing ovation as she received the Kathleen Buckley Outstanding Staff Member Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to bringing compassion and smiles to the St. Lawrence community.
As a 20-year University employee, Penny has made an impact on every student she greeted at dining halls across campus. Students shared: she “always has a smile on her face,” “greets me every morning,” “she is perfect,” and “she has remembered my name since freshman year and gives me a hug every time I come to Dana! She makes my day every time I see her.”
Vallance is the fourth staff member to receive the award named in memory of The Reverend Kathleen Buckley, St. Lawrence’s beloved University Chaplain for 19 years who passed away in January 2020.
