Scott McKenzie named 2021 recipient of Teaching Excellence Award As the saying goes, you had to be there .
the provost and other faculty members to ofer heartfelt congratulations. McKenzie, for this part, wiped away a few tears, thanked all involved, and got back to doing what he does best: teaching the subject he loves to the students who love him for it. None would argue the choice of McKenzie as the 2021 Teaching Excellence Award recipient. The assistant professor of geology and paleontology director has taught at the university for more than two decades. “Scott McKenzie embodies teaching excellence and the spirit of this award,” said Zurn College Dean Clint Jones. “Watching Scott teach is like watching a live science documentary. His vast knowledge in subjects like oceanography, geology, astronomy, paleontology, and other earth science subjects shines through to his students. His excitement about the subject matter is contagious, and he Mercyhurst classroom and labs, he has gladly shared with the Erie community his passion for dinosaurs and other predators that inhabited the region during prehistoric times and during multiple ice ages. As curator of the Sincak Natural History Collection, he has staged numerous displays of prehistoric monster fsh, T-rex skulls, full dinosaur casts, exotic fossils, and meteorites at venues like Brown’s Farm and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle. has the wonderful ability to take complex information and make it simple to learn across diverse groups of students.” Besides the energy McKenzie brings to his
Anyone who has had even the briefest encounter with Mercyhurst University geologist Scott McKenzie comes away awed by that booming radio-personality voice, the wide-eyed facial expressions, and animated gestures. So, when some of the university’s most distinguished faculty — all former recipients of the Teaching Excellence Award — decided to bestow the annual honor on McKenzie, they Zoom-bombed his remote physical geology class. His reaction did not disappoint. It was just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14, the students in his Zoom waiting room had all entered, and class was underway. Suddenly, eight minutes in, then-Provost Dr. Leanne Roberts burst on the screen. Along came Dr. Jim Snyder, then Dr. Heidi Hosey, and Dr. Randy Clemons, and before you knew it, seven of Mercyhurst’s best were upon him. To say McKenzie was startled would be an understatement; he was, in a word, fummoxed. “I thought I had made an error with Zoom and invited people in from other classes,” McKenzie said. “I was about to panic.” But, with the students looking on, Provost Roberts let everyone know that the folks who were invading their class had something in common and that McKenzie was about to join their ranks as the 2021 recipient of the Teaching Excellence Award. Immediately, the students began cheering, joining
Scott McKenzie delivers his acceptance speech after earning the university’s Teaching Excellence Award for 2021.
Cancer doesn’t slow Lauren Rogus in claiming top academic award Lauren Rogus ’21 has always loved surprises. Over the past year, she has been faced with many ups and downs, but continues to lead her life with a positive outlook and a love for learning. “I typically love surprises, but I have had quite the grab bag of good and bad this year,” Rogus said. “I know that we all have our crosses to carry but mine has just been a bit heavier lately.”
“I am beyond thankful to be the recipient of the Bishop’s Award. I have always valued my education and put my academics frst; I felt like everything I worked for during my four years had fnally came to fruition,” Rogus said. The Bishop’s Award for Academic Excellence is presented by the Catholic Diocese of Erie to the graduating senior who is judged to have the most superior academic record in the class. In her words, this honor was the best surprise she could have asked for. Despite an already challenging junior and senior year due to COVID-19, Rogus received even more serious news in March 2021. She was diagnosed with adrenal cancer, a rare form of cancer that begins in the adrenal glands located on top of the kidneys and afects the hormones produced for nearly every organ in the body.
Through it all, Rogus was adamant about fnishing her degree in early childhood/special education. Rogus’ ambition and positive attitude kept her motivated through every step of her academic career. Now, she hopes to use her story to raise awareness about adrenal cancer and her journey to recovery. “I got the call about the Bishop’s Award in the hospital right after having a major surgery. I started crying tears of joy, so much so that the nurses had to ask if I was OK! It defnitely caught me of guard, and I felt so blessed and excited in that moment,” Rogus said. Rogus intends to pursue her master’s in Teaching Excellence in 2022 at Mercyhurst. Despite continuing cancer treatments over the next year, she remains in high spirits as she looks forward to calling Hurst home again soon.
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