Two Harcum Professors Receive Highest Teaching Honors Conferred by the College

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Images of Julian Crooks, left, and Fran Schuda via Harcum College.

Harcum College professors Julian Crooks and Fran Schuda recently received the highest teaching honors conferred by the college during its virtual commencement ceremony.

Crooks, associate professor and assistant director of the fashion programs, won the Philip Klein Memorial Award. Alex Klein, Chairman of Harcum’s Board of Trustees, presented the award, established in memory of his grandfather, to Crooks.

The award recognizes a faculty member who provides outstanding service to Harcum students and one who – through thought, vision, and action – is dedicated to the college.
Crooks joined Harcum in 2013. Each year, she devotes her time and talent to dozens of fashion students who must complete their capstone projects for the annual fashion show. She has organized and offered numerous workshops for prospective students and the community through the Art & Design Experience and the Makers Series.

Her nominators said she is abundantly talented, collaborative, innovative, and generous.

Schuda, an associate professor and director of the nursing program, received the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. Under her leadership, the nursing curriculum was updated and developed to reflect contemporary nursing practices. The program is student-centric and includes robust interventions, including simulations, practice tests, and individualized student interactions.

Not only has Schuda developed the program but she also continues to improve it. She solicits input, involving everyone, including students, in the conversation for a total team experience. She also works with her colleagues to help raise funds for scholarships from the Independence Blue Cross Foundation and funds for nursing equipment from the Scholler Foundation and McLean Contributionship.

She helps with recruitment videos for her program by recommending students and alumni who are willing to participate.

For the last three years, 100 percent of the nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Exam on the first try. Her nominators said, “We cannot imagine a world without nurses, and Harcum College cannot imagine a nursing program without Fran Schuda.”

Click here to learn more about Harcum College.

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