Faculty honors
John McCallum Excellence in Teaching Award
At Missouri Valley University, you learn from professors who are recognized for great teaching. Each year since 1990, MVU has honored one faculty member who challenges, inspires, and supports students. Since 1991, the award has carried the name of longtime professor John McCallum.
At a glance
37 award-winning teachers
First awarded: 1990
Latest recipient: Kelley McKay Fuemmeler (2026)
2025 recipient: Chris Libby
About the award
Named for a teacher who raised the bar.
John McCallum taught English and mass communications at Missouri Valley. Students and colleagues remember his high expectations, his intellectual rigor, and how much he cared about his students. He encouraged fellow faculty, was active in campus life, and wrote thoughtful reviews of student theatre productions.
“He challenged his students—you knew you had to work hard in his classes if you wanted to succeed, but he made you want to work.”
Diana Malan, former registrar, faculty member, and 2004 recipient
How the award began
The award started as the Sears Roebuck Foundation Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award. When the foundation ended that program in 1991, Missouri Valley kept the tradition going. Then-President Earl Reeves asked McCallum to lend his name to the award, and it has carried his name ever since.
Award criteria
What the award recognizes
Recipients show excellence in six areas:
- Teaching: Instruction that challenges, engages, and inspires students.
- Service to the University: Meaningful contributions to MVU’s mission and campus community.
- Academic advising: Guidance that supports students’ academic progress and personal growth.
- Student evaluations: Student feedback that shows effective teaching and a commitment to learning.
- Campus presence: An active, accessible, and supportive presence on campus.
- Professional accomplishment: Continued growth, scholarship, and contributions to their field.
2025 recipient
Meet Chris Libby.
Chris Libby is the 2025 recipient of the John McCallum Excellence in Teaching Award. Watch the award video to meet one of the teachers you could learn from at MVU.
Award videos for recent recipients are linked in the full list below.
Watch on YouTube → (opens in a new tab)
See every recipient →
McCallum Award recipients
Every recipient since 1990.
The John McCallum Excellence in Teaching Award has honored 37 Missouri Valley faculty members. Recent recipients link to their award videos.
2020–2026
- 2026 · Kelley McKay Fuemmeler, Arts & Humanities
- 2025 · Chris Libby (video) (opens in a new tab), Arts & Humanities
- 2024 · Charles “Chaz” Maddi III (video) (opens in a new tab), Arts & Humanities
- 2023 · Claire Schmidt (video) (opens in a new tab)
- 2022 · Jennifer Livengood (video) (opens in a new tab)
- 2021 · Erich Mueller
- 2020 · Andrew Linsenbardt
2010–2019
- 2019 · David Tomchuk
- 2018 · Travis Owen
- 2017 · Linda Gordon
- 2016 · Harold Hynick
- 2015 · Milena Simic
- 2014 · Michele Reinke
- 2013 · Waylon Hiler
- 2012 · Dessie Stafford
- 2011 · David Roberts
- 2010 · Susan Dittmer
2000–2009
- 2009 · Tamara King
- 2008 · Marilyn Bellwood
- 2007 · Larry Stockman
- 2006 · Mark Mills
- 2005 · Loren Gruber
- 2004 · Diana Malan
- 2003 · John “Scotty” Campbell
- 2002 · Pat Vazzana
- 2001 · Katherine Wildt
- 2000 · Lori Gates
1990–1999
- 1999 · Virginia Zank
- 1998 · Gerardo Acay
- 1997 · Reed Kepner
- 1996 · Leif Youngdahl
- 1995 · Ronald Miller
- 1994 · Jane Bartlett
- 1993 · Ed Leslie
- 1992 · John Gault
- 1991 · Ron Pardeck
- 1990 · Marilyn Ehlert
Learn from award-winning faculty.
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