Latrobe, PA—Dr. Jessica Harvey, associate professor of communication and chair of the Communication and Media Arts Department in the school of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) at Saint Vincent College was presented with the Thoburn Excellence in Teaching Award during the College’s annual Founders’ Day Honors Convocation, held in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica on Nov. 16.
Nominations for the Thoburn Award are made by Saint Vincent alumni five to seven years after they’ve graduated. Alumni are to name one member of the faculty who made a significant impact on students through their teaching and personal interactions.
“Dr. Harvey is widely regarded as an excellent teacher who cares about her students and pushes them to do their best,” said Dr. John Delaney, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.
One of Dr. Harvey’s nominators wrote in their nomination that “[Dr. Harvey] is truly one of the greatest teachers I have encountered in my whole academic career. She is unwaivering in her dedication to her students and continues to be a mentor well past graduation. She is kind, thoughtful, intelligent and an all around wonderful educator.”
Dr. Harvey was unable to attend the Honors Convocation ceremony. In her absence, Dr. Elaine Bennett, dean of AHSS, read the remarks Dr. Harvey had prepared.
“It’s a great honor to work with Dr. Jessica Harvey,” Dr. Bennett explained before delivering Dr. Harvey’s remarks. “It is also a privilege to give voice to her gracious and compelling thoughts on being selected for this award.”
Of unexpectedly receiving the award, Dr. Harvey wrote, “When Dr. Delaney reached out to let me know I received this award, I immediately thought, ‘Wow, I must have don’t something right back then,’.”
“This award celebrates teaching, and I’d be remiss to not acknowledge the exceptional community of teachers at Saint Vincent that have shaped my teaching and inspired me throughout my time here,” Dr. Harvey continued. “ I also want to celebrate and thank ourstudents. Our students inspire us to work harder, challenge us to be at our best and teach us continually by bringing their own insight, experiences and worldviews into our classes.”
Dr. Harvey concluded with a quote from Fred Rogers, which explains that the way to ultimate success is to be kind. She explained that, “It’s acts of kindness across campus and within the classroom that really make a difference in the lives of our students and certainly shape our experiences as faculty.
“As we move forward, always forward, let’s continue to cultivate kindness and communicate it to one another as we welcome support and celebrate our neighbors from all walks of life here on campus and within our classrooms.”
About Dr. Harvey
Dr. Harvey’s research focuses on media literacy in educational and family environments. Her work with Dr. Tracy McNelly, associate professor of education in AHSS, investigates teachers’ and preservice teachers’ experiences incorporating media literacy education within their curriculum. Additionally, Dr. Harvey’s work explores how families use media to talk about issues related to gender, race and racism. She works closely with communication students in the department who are interested in conducting social scientific research and presenting their research at the Eastern Communication Association conference.
PHOTO: Dr. Jessica Harvey meets in her office with junior Stacie Ramos during the filming of The College Tour.