Outstanding Educator Award Recipient, 2002
Pat Newell
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DURING FDEA'S 25th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE IN WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA,
PAT NEWELL OF EDISON COMMUNITY COLLEGE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR FOR 2002. MELODYE WEINS,
PRESIDENT OF NADE, INTRODUCED PAT AND GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS THAT IS A WONDERFUL SYNOPSIS OF HER MANY
CONTRIBUITONS TO DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION AT EDISON AND TO FDEA.
Thank you for the distinct privilege of formally recognizing Pat Newell, FDEA's 2002 Outstanding Educator. Though I could
editorialize for hours and perhaps days on the personal and professional qualities that make this year's recipient an appropriate
choice for this honor, I will rely instead on the
words of those who speak so highly of her relationship to students, colleagues, and the field of developmental education.
In addressing her exceptional teaching skills, a colleague writes, "Pat's first love is teaching and student success.... She says
all she wants is a blackboard and chalk... don't make her do any of that 'other stuff' to get the material across to her students. Anyone who knows her
realizes that humor plays a large part in her success as an educator."
In the same way that she supports students, Pat provides encouragement to her colleagues. A recent hire
to her department says, "It was a rough first semester for me, and I was often in her office asking stupid question after stupid question, while
also looking like several busses had run over me. Had it not been for Pat's words of support (and sometimes condolence) and her wicked good sense
of humor, I might have thrown in the towel and become a driver of one of those buses."
Pat's impact is great, within her division and across her campus. The Vice President of Student
Services at Edison writes that, "In her role as District Director of Learning Assistance with Edison Community College, [Pat] is responsible
for what I have come to believe is the most valuable division of the college.... On many occasions I have witnessed Pat go that extra mile to
assist a student in any way that she can.... Her guiding belief that all students deserve the best education possible permeates her work.. She is a
consummate professional who makes things happen.... It is without reservation that I am pleased to offer Patricia Newell's name as the one developmental
educator who stands above the rest... She is thought of so well by so many."
That high regard is well placed -- and it extends beyond her campus to the state and national levels. Colleagues
speak favorably and appreciatively about Pat's dedication to the advancement of the field of developmental education. She is actively involved
with activities and associations that provide professional development and networking opportunities - for her and for her colleagues. She has been
a participant in and contributor to FDEA for 17 years. She has attended, planned, and presented at FDEA conferences. She has served on the FDEA
Board and has been President of the Association for two years. She is also an active member of the National Association for Developmental
Education. Just last year, she was Conference Chair for NADE 2002, which FDEA hosted in Orlando. She currently serves as NADE's SPIN Coordinator
and, in recognition for her past and potential service to NADE, she is a Board-approved candidate for President-Elect of our national association.
Clearly, Pat Newell's impact is broad and deep. She is highly regarded and well loved. And tonight, we
honor her publicly and formally for what we know already: she is an Outstanding Developmental Educator. Thank you for the honor of
introducing this year's FDEA Outstanding Developmental Educator: Pat Newell.
(SUBSEQUENTLY, DURING THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN FEBRUARY, 2003, PAT WAS RECOGNIZED
WITH THE NADE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE.)
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