University of New England

Psychology professor Nancy Rankin receives Kenneally Cup for Distinguished Academic Service

BIDDEFORD - Nancy Rankin, assistant professor of psychology, has been awarded the University of New England's 2006-07 Kenneally Cup for distinguished academic service. The award was presented at the University Campus's annual Student Awards Ceremony on April 24, 2007.

Prof. Nancy Rankin receives the Kenneally Cup from Dean of Students Barbara Hazard and Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences John Tumiel.

Rankin was UNE's director of counseling and career development in the 1980’s before going into private practice for 10 years.  Nancy rejoined UNE's psychology faculty in 1996 and has taught core-curriculum psychology courses, advanced courses in the major, and has also coordinated the department’s internship program.  

The Kenneally Cup is an award for Distinguished Academic Service.  It is the most prestigious award made by the College of Arts and Sciences and recognizes the accomplishments of either a faculty or staff member who has given extraordinary service to undergraduates at the University of New England.  The award is named in honor of a long-time member of the university community.  During a notable and distinguished 26-year career at UNE and the former St. Francis College, Dr. Raymond Kenneally served as a faculty member in the Department of Education, Assistant Dean, Associate Dean and on numerous occasions, as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  Dr. Kenneally retired in 1992 and unfortunately passed away in 2003.  The College of Arts and Sciences honors his legacy of selfless service to others with this award.

The award was presented to Rankin by John Tumiel, associate dean in the University of New England's College of Arts and Sciences, the 2005 Kenneally Cup recipient.

Citation
 
"Nancy has an excellent teaching reputation among our students as is documented by her multiple nominations for teacher of the year and her recent invitation to be the Senior Graduation Dinner Speaker in 2004.

"Nancy currently coordinates Academic Advising training for faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences and has organized the “Dinner and a Movie”,  First-Year Student Experience activities for the past few years.  She has given countless hours, beyond expectation, to help organize orientation events, student-faculty socials, faculty development workshops and academic advising in-service programs.  Nancy Rankin is to be commended for her sincere efforts and personal commitment to improving the quality and quantity of the student-faculty academic experiences on the University Campus.

"Nancy has always made herself available to support students in a variety of ways and engages fully in their lives.  She often agrees to serve on disciplinary review committees or disciplinary appeal committees and willingly gives of her time to hear cases and to support the students experiencing these processes.  

"In recent years, she has served on the Retention Committee and volunteered to assist at Commencement to read the names of graduates as they cross the stage.  She is a person that students and Student Affairs staff can count on to volunteer her time and resources as well as generally being a positive, contributing member of the UNE community.  Students always speak highly of Nancy and often request her involvement or participation in their activities such as hosting the annual UNE variety show. 

"Nancy Rankin has served the College of Arts and Sciences with distinction.  She is a strong advocate for students and always available for any task that will better the university experience for students or faculty.  She is a true gem of our community and an asset to the College of Arts and Sciences."

(Press release posted April 25, 2007)