The recipient of the annual Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award for 2018-19 is Dr. Laura Barthel, assistant professor of accounting.
Nominations for the award were made by the department chairs in EKU's School of Business. Nominees were reviewed by a three-member selection committee based on evidence of excellent classroom instruction. They also considered factors such as peer review of instruction, student evaluations of teaching performance, curriculum development, teaching load and innovative teaching methods.
Dr. Barthel earned a bachelor's in business and marketing education and a certificate in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University; a master's of accountancy from the University of Kentucky; her CPA licensure; and most recently earned her doctorate in accounting from Kennesaw State University in Georgia. She has been a valuable asset to EKU’s School of Business since 2010, teaching several topics including accounting, entrepreneurship and introduction to business.
Barthel devotes time to the success of students inside and outside of the classroom, as well as to the community. As part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service, she spent the spring semester working with students to provide free income tax preparation to the community. This valuable service was a great opportunity for accounting students to apply what they have learned in class. In addition, Barthel has advised over 15 teams of students in the Idea State U Entrepreneurship Competition and has played instrumental roles in developing new curriculum and programs, mentoring new faculty and advising students.
The award is particularly special to Barthel because Dr. Dyer was a professor to both her parents at EKU, who often remarked that Dr. Dyer was their favorite professors. He was tough but caring, they said.
Barthel explained, "he had a role in changing the lives of my parents and shaping who they became in their professional lives." Because of that, he also played a role in shaping her life both as an accountant, through her father Wayne Vice; and as a teacher through her mother, Dr. Janna Vice.
"Receiving this award is an honor," she said, "because I have witnessed the impact he had on my parents and I hope to continue to strive for Dr. Dyer's level of teaching excellence and continue his legacy of changing lives."
This is not the first time Barthel has been recognized for her efforts. During her time at EKU, she has been recognized as a Critical Thinking Teacher of the Year, a First-Year Programs Teacher of the Year nominee and a Distinguished Educational Leader for Exceptional Classroom Performance, among other nominations and accolades.
The School of Business at EKU is proud to have quality professors such as Dr. Laura Barthel and is pleased to recognize her for her efforts. Barthel was formally recognized during the annual Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award Luncheon on August 17.
View the photo album on Facebook. | More on the Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award.