Behind Every Graduate Awardees

Provost Stephen W. Director announced that four high school teachers will be honored with the first Behind Every Graduate Awards at commencement ceremonies on June 17, 2006 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. A fifth teacher was honored in May at the commencement for the School of Public Health and the College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Dr. Director invited all graduating seniors to nominate a high school teacher that inspired him or her to pursue college studies. The selected honorees will receive an expense-paid trip to Philadelphia for two. They will attend pre-commencement activities and be honored at commencement with their nominating students.  Each honoree will receive a $2,000 cash prize, and a $2,000 donation will be made to the winning teachers' schools.

The following high school teachers will be honored:

At the 8:30 a.m. ceremony honoring the graduates of LeBow College of Business: Louis Martella, a science and physics teacher at St. Basil's Academy in Jenkintown, Pa., was nominated by Natalie Myers, a Drexel business administration student, for going beyond the call of duty by personally reviewing lessons plans with Myers before the start of the school day. Martella also taught Myers to accept all individuals and how to overcome obstacles. Sister Carla, Principal of St. Basil Academy, spoke of Mr. Martella's great dedication to students.   At the 12:30 p.m. ceremony honoring graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, Goodwin College of Professional Studies, School of Education: Thomas Morro, a social studies and advanced government teacher at Pope John XXIII Regional High School, in Sparta N.J., Morro was nominated by Justin Gear, a Drexel history and politics major, for teaching him the value of education and discipline.   At the 4 p.m. ceremony honoring graduates of the College of Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems: Keith Desrosiers, a mathematics teacher at Yes College Preparatory School in Houston, Texas, was nominated by Maria de Lourdes Rodriguez, a Drexel mechanical engineering student. Mr. Desrosiers was nominated for encouraging Maria, an English as a Second Language (ESL) student from Mexico, to excel in mathematics.   At the 7:30 p.m. ceremony honoring the graduates of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, College of Information Science and Technology, College of Nursing and Health Professions: Mr. John McBride, a history and American government teacher at Kingsway Regional High School in Woolwich Township, N.J., was nominated by Andrew Smith, a Drexel information systems major, for Mr. McBride's role in teaching him to love history, take good notes in class and write a great college essay.   Susan Walsh, an English teacher at Nazareth Area High School in Nazareth, Pa., was honored at the health sciences commencement. Ms. Walsh was nominated by Jennifer Cramer, a Drexel radiology technology major, for inspiring her to become a leader.  Ms. Walsh served as faculty advisor to the Nazareth High School student government and senior class.  By observing Ms. Walsh in her role, Jennifer learned about the opportunities, challenges, responsibilities, and accolades associated with being in a leadership role.