Two Endowed Teaching Chairs Named at TJC

TYLER – Two Tyler Junior College professors are being singled out as endowed teaching chairs for 2017. This year’s recipients are sociology professor Ryan Button who receives the “The Dorothy Fay and Jack White Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence.” And speech professor Alfonso Ippolito, who receives “The Thomas H. Shelby Jr. Endowed Chair for Teaching Excellence.” The winners were surprised during their classes Tuesday with a fanfare of applause and balloons, followed by presentations of certificates and checks from TJC officials. Endowed teaching chair recipients receive $2,000 for each of two years. This includes a $1,500 cash stipend and $500 for professional development for each year.

Endowed teaching chair recipients receive $2,000 for each of two years ($4,000total), which includes a $1,500 cash stipend and $500 for professional development for each year. The professional development portion may be applied toward a personal professional development plan, including travel, books, conferences and equipment.

Ten full-time TJC professors were nominated by their peers to apply for the award. Of the 10 nominees, eight professors chose to undergo the intense application process.