Ward Wins Kirkland Award

Professor Stephanie Ward was chosen by her peers to receive the Kirkland Award for Excellence in Teaching and recognized at the 2024 Chipola College Commencement Ceremony on May 2, 2024.

            Professor Stephanie Ward has worked at Chipola since 2017 teaching both math courses and education courses. Stephanie is widely known as an excellent teacher that works hard to break down difficult mathematical concepts into digestible chunks of information for students. Many students have commented about how great of a teacher as well as how caring of a person she is.

            Stephanie is the sponsor of Mu Alpha Theta and the Chipola College Math Olympiad competition. Stephanie is also involved with AFC where she helps with fundraisers and other projects. Stephanie is also frequently on campus after hours supporting other events such as the Science Club, Theatre productions, Chipola’s annual Trunk or Treat and more.

            Stephanie is one of the kindest instructors and is extremely caring towards not only her students, but all students at Chipola College. One student commented, “I’ve never had Ms. Ward as a math teacher but she has always been so kind and helpful to me.” 

            Ward earned her Associate in Arts and her Bachelor of Science degree from Chipola College and her Master of Arts degree from Troy University.

            The Kirkland Award was established by brothers, J.R. Kirkland and David Kirkland, in honor of their parents, the late Willis and Carolyn Kirkland of Marianna. The award provides a $1,000 bonus to the annual recipient.

            Previous winners include: Jeff Bodart, Terolyn Lay, Stan Young, Dr. Irma Cruz-White,  Dr. Amanda Clark, Dr. Rachel West, Kurt McInnis, Amie Myers, Glenda Bethel, Casey Dowgul, Vikki Milton, Dr. Gina McAllister, Robert Ivey, John Gardner, Richard Hinson, JoAnn Everett, Dr. Lou Cleveland, Dr. Cherry Ward, Jean Taylor, Dr. Robert Dunkle, and faculty-emeriti: Joy Ree (Georgia) Ashmore, Dr. David Hilton, Dr. Rose Cavin, Geraldine DeFelix, Mary McClendon, Donald Holley, Nancy Burns,Dr. Stephen Shimmel, Lee Shook, Kathryn Roberts, Brenda Alford, Paul Huang, Peggy Register, Charlene Lord, Lonnie Keene, Dr. Bill Brievogel, and Don Adams.

            For more information, visit www.chipola.edu.