Ulmer Receives Top Faculty Award
Published: June 06, 2020
"First teaching at Greenville College at the age of 22, she has served this institution faithfully for 40 years," said President Larry Linamen of Cecelia Ulmer, professor of communication and the newest recipient of the College's W. Richard Stephens Outstanding Faculty Award.
A "full house" of appreciative audience members applauded heartily as the director of the Factory Theatre accepted the framed plaque and a $1,000 check at Greenville College's 120th Commencement service on Sunday, May 27, in the Crum Recreation Center. Ulmer was the fourth professor to receive the award, named for President Emeritus W. Richard Stephens.
President Linamen added that Professor Ulmer would retire at the conclusion of this academic year. "Cecelia, we will miss you terribly, but we wish you well."
Students write essays to nominate professors for the Outstanding Faculty Award. Former recipients review the nominations and the College's board of trustees makes the final selection. Provost Randy Bergen said 22 of Professor Ulmer's students nominated her for the award, the largest number of nominations ever submitted in support of one person. "This strong support, as well as Dr. Ulmer's outstanding qualities, made the final decision by the board of trustees easy," he said.
The students' nominations cited Professor Ulmer's interest in their success, their development as persons, and her care in creating an environment that fosters excellence. "During rehearsals, she pushes students toward excellence," wrote one student, "both in their performance, but also in how we treat one another."
Bergen acknowledged that Ulmer's hard work and dedication to Greenville College are visible all over the Factory Theatre "from the meticulously organized workshop to the outstanding quality of the performances she oversees."
Bergen shared that Professor Ulmer came to Greenville College in 1972 and spent much of her life at GC, mostly in the Factory Theatre. "In her role here, she has shaped hundreds of students' lives, and they loved her for it." He praised Ulmer for modeling characteristics the College seeks in its professors and encouraging students to have a Christian voice in theatre where it is often lacking.
"Dr. Ulmer," he said, "You have continued to grow and achieve even as you retire. We will miss you greatly in years to come."
Professor Ulmer received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Murray State University and completed her doctorate degree at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has worked with the Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. She also has directed and designed over sixty plays.
