Susan Sipple, Associate Professor of English at RWC, has been awarded the 2010 Mrs. A.B. “Dolly” Cohen Award for Excellence in Teaching.Professor Sipple has often been described as a professor who is not easy but who will go out of her way to give her students the necessary tools for success. She has created innovative ways, such as recording her response to papers on CD’s, of reaching out to her students and assisting them. Professor Sipple has co-led two summer British Study Abroad programs. She is tentatively planning a third British abroad trip and has chaired the RWC Study Abroad and Exchange Programs Committee the past two years.
When asked about the Cohen Award, Professor Sipple responded, “I’m thrilled” and admitted she was “still kind of stunned,” because she is surrounded by such fantastic staff. Professor Sipple recounted her experience as a first generation student and her ponderings of the future. She remembers that she had always wanted to become an English major, but friends discouraged her, stating it had no future opportunities.
Entering college as a Finance major, she faced disastrous results and took interest tests that told her that she should be in English. Her literature professor also pulled her aside and told her that she should be in English.
“Thank goodness I finally saw the light!” Professor Sipple remarked.
Although she was in a place she loved, Professor Sipple admitted she was not certain where her future would lie. “I didn’t seriously pursue [teaching] but I was surprised with how much I love it.” And now, she stated, “I love teaching, and it’s nice to be recognized for something I love.