Faculty and staff honored for accomplishments, years of service

James R. Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award

Kate Linnenberg
Credit: Megan O'LearyKate Linnenberg received the James R. Underkofler Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award. Nominated by students for the college’s highest honor, the associate professor of sociology has sparked students’ interests in inequality, collective behavior, and gender. Since joining Beloit in 2004, Linnenberg has helped students master complex material, then bring that material to life.

Students wrote that she promotes an equitable classroom environment and gets them involved in community projects. One student wrote that Linnenberg “does everything in her power to help her students, and she is extremely empathetic and caring. I have never met a professor who has been as involved and invested in her students’ success as she is.”

Sponsored by Alliant Energy, the award is named for the organization’s longtime CEO.

Phee Boon Kang’73 Prize for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring

Political science and international relations professor Pablo Toral and housekeeper Dorlean Bell both received this year’s Phee Boon Kang’73 Prize for Excellence in Advising and Mentoring.

Pablo Toral

Pablo Toral
Credit: Megan O'LearySince he joined Beloit’s faculty in 2003, Toral has taught classes in environmental politics, sustainable development, comparative politics in Latin America, and a regular Boundary Waters summer course. He is widely known as an accessible and supportive advisor, generous with his time and encouraging of everyone’s success in his classes. “Most of the things I have achieved during my time at Beloit were because of him,” one student wrote.

Dorlean Bell

Dorlean BellBell, a housekeeper at Beloit since 1984, goes above and beyond in her work and her kindness towards students. One student called her “a beacon of light to everyone around her. When you see how students react to her, you can tell that she has impacted so many of their lives the same way she has impacted mine.”

Bill Behling Prize and Presidential Service Shoes Award

At a faculty and staff breakfast in May, Career Development Advisor Emily Sager was awarded the 2023 Bill Behling Prize and the Advancement team earned the Presidential Service Shoes Award, a tradition started by President Scott Bierman.

Faculty and staff emeriti

2023's faculty and staff emeriti were honored at a ceremony in April. Pictured are Professor Emeritus Greg Buchanan (psychology), Professor Emerita Carol Wickersham (sociology), and College Editor Emerita Susan Kasten.
Credit: Ted Johnson