The University of Scranton's Teacher of the Year Michael D. DeMichele, Ph.D., selected by the university's Class of 2002.

06/5 - Professor of History Named University of Scranton Teacher of the Year

Michael D. DeMichele, Ph.D., chair and professor of history, has been selected Teacher of the Year by The University of Scranton's graduating class of 2002.

The Teacher of the Year Award, instituted in 1996 by the academic support committee of the university's Faculty Senate, honors a faculty member who maintains high standards of academic excellence and fairness and who, through enthusiasm and dedication, inspires interest in a given field of education. Dr. DeMichele was nominated by secret ballot of the university's senior class.

"It's an honor to be selected by the graduating class to receive this award," said Dr. DeMichele. "I hope that the students who have been in my classes have enriched their educational experience at the university."

The Teacher of the Year Award is one of three teaching awards presented annually by The University of Scranton. The Edward Gannon, S.J., award, established by Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. The Professor of the year Award is sponsored by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

A resident of Scranton, Dr. DeMichele is currently completing his 34th year of teaching at The University of Scranton. He has taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate history courses, ranging from the Constitutional and Legal History of England to the History of Contemporary World Politics.

Dr. DeMichele has received numerous honors and awards. In 1998, he received an award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology at the ninth annual International Conference on Teaching and Technology. In 1991, he became the first recipient of the Jesuit Community's Campion Award given to an administrator, faculty or staff member who has contributed in an outstanding way to The University of Scranton's purpose as a Catholic and Jesuit institution. The same year, he received the Sears Roebuck Award in recognition of his campus leadership and outstanding teaching.

He received the Alpha Sigma Nu Award for Teaching Excellence in 1972, the Presidential Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1976, and the College of Graduate and Continuing Education Teaching Award in 1977. He was the university's first nominee for the national Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Professor of the Year Award in 1985.

Dr. DeMichele's writings have been published in professional journals. He has also given numerous presentations and papers on various historical topics throughout the United States and abroad.

Dr. DeMichele earned his bachelor's degree in history from The University of Scranton and his master's. and Ph.D. in history from Pennsylvania State University. He is married to the former Rosemary P. Yantorn of Scranton. The couple's three children are alumni of the university.