Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers (2009)

2008-2009 Commencement Ceremony Excerpt

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for the Year 2009 is associate professor of zoology, Dr. Danielle Hamill.

Dr. Hamill graduated from Lawrence University with a major in Biology. She received her Ph.D. in Cell Biology from the University of Kansas. She was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the University of Oregon. Her research at Oregon focused on the isolation and characterization of temperature-sensitive cell division in C. elegans, a free living roundworm. Her lab at Ohio Wesleyan is directed toward understanding how and why some cells in early embryo development fail to divide and ultimately lead to developmental defects and death.

Since coming to Ohio Wesleyan in 2001, Danielle has taught courses in Cell Biology, Genetics, and Developmental Biology. She describes herself as a product of the liberal arts – “a faculty brat” from Grinnell College, following in her father’s footsteps as a college professor in an institution that values teaching and research involving students.

Her students on the other hand describe her as…and I quote…“Absolutely the best…organized, honest, and knows how to teach.”

Another student writes – “Dr. Hamill is one of the hardest working professors I know. She spends countless hours preparing her lectures, speaking with students and helping anyone who has problems.”

Still another student reports…“Dr. Hamill’s enthusiasm makes the class interesting and exciting.”

And finally this student says – “Amazing class and professor.”

Danielle, some great tributes! Congratulations!

More information about Professor Hamill