Two MHU Professors and One Staff Member Awarded For Work With Students

Mars Hill, NC (08/25/2022) — Craig Goforth, professor of criminal justice, and Heather Pott, assistant director of housing, received the 2022 Snow Caring Awards from Mars Hill University. Michelle Gilley, professor of biology, received the 2022 Gibbs Outstanding Teacher Award. President Tony Floyd presented the awards during the university's faculty workshop on Wednesday, August 17, 2022.

The Snow Caring Award was established in 1999 by A.C. and Nancy Snow in memory of their daughter Melinda Jean Snow, a 1988 graduate of Mars Hill College. Also known as the "Chicken Soup Award," the Snow Award is given to one faculty member and one staff member whose lives and teaching styles reflect the personal concern for students illustrated by an oft-remembered quote from Melinda. As a junior, Melinda transferred from UNC Chapel Hill to Mars Hill, citing a desire for the smaller college atmosphere. She is known to have said, "At MHC, you miss class and pretty soon somebody, often a faculty member, is knocking on your door, bringing a bowl of hot chicken soup."

The Gibbs Outstanding Teacher Award is intended to encourage and reward excellence in teaching at Mars Hill University. Nominees are considered based on outstanding performance as a classroom teacher, outstanding development of teaching methods and materials, influence on students, and influence on other teachers. The Gibbs Award was established in 1970 in memory of Robert S. Gibbs, Sr., who served on the Board of Trustees at Mars Hill College from 1903-1943.

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(l-r) Heather Pott, Craig Goforth, Michelle Gilley.