Jacqueline Nethers, Associate Professor of Social Science, was honored with the annual Rose B. and Edgar B. McReynolds Faculty Excellence Award during Honors Convocation chapel. This award is given to a HIU faculty member who exemplifies teaching-learning excellence in the classroom. Nominations were received from faculty and students, and based on those nominations, a final choice was made by the selection committee.

Professor Nethers was commended by students as a professor who “engages with all students” and is “open to all views.” She is “a perfect example of a servant leader, who teaches students to be the same.” Another student wrote that she is “a main reason my freshman year at Hope has been so great. If anyone is deserving of this award it is without a doubt” Professor Nethers. One of her colleagues stated, “Professor Nethers has handled teaching emotionally laden topics with evidence, research, awareness, and empathy. Her students feel safe and cared for with her.”

Dr. Paul McReynolds was a professor of New Testament at Pacific Christian College for nearly four decades. He was beloved by students who referred to him affectionately simply as “Dr. Paul.” Dr. Paul was deeply committed to the teaching and learning process. He held his students to very high standards, but did so with humility, patience, and grace. Education was his life’s calling. Dr. Paul passed away last summer and was teaching to the very end of his life.

When Dr. McReynolds retired from full-time teaching in 2005, he funded a Faculty Excellence Award in the names of his parents: Rose B. and Edgar B. McReynolds.