WASHINGTON—Sinclair Community College Associate Professor John Parcell was named Ohio Professor of the Year on Thursday, Nov. 19 in Washington D.C.
At a luncheon held at the Willard InterContinental Washington, Parcell was one of 38 state award winners being honored by The Carnagie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Along with the 38 state-honored professors, the Carnagie Foundation and CASE honored four professors with national awards.
“It feels good to win this for Sinclair,” said Parcell, who has taught music at Sinclair since 2004. “I’m happy to contribute.”
CASE President John Lippencott said the award provides a way to show how exceptional teaching needs to be rewarded.
“It matters enormously,” he said. “Not only to the students and the institution, but ultimately to the advancement of our society.
“CASE and the Carnagie Foundation feel a very deep-seeded obligation to make sure that people are reminded at least once a year how important it is to have really great teachers in our colleges and university classrooms.”
After the ceremony, Parcell, who was accompanied by his wife Renee, quickly spoke with Ohio Congressman Mike Turner. Parcell was then given a tour of the Capitol Building by Turner’s Executive Assistant Ryan Dwyer. The behind-the-scenes glimpse included walking through the tunnels connecting the congressman’s office to the Capitol Building and observing the gallery while Congress was in session.
Parcell then met with Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown. The two discussed Parcell’s accomplishment and how important community colleges have become in Ohio.
Parcell said one of his favorite highlights from his trip was being introduced to Congressman Turner and Sen. Brown.
“That was terrific to meet them face-to-face,” he said.
Along with his wife, Sinclair student Mark Wallace, Sinclair Chief of Staff Madeline Iseli and Sinclair President Dr. Steven Johnson, accompanied Parcell to D.C.
Johnson said Parcell represents Sinclair faculty’s dedication to educational achievement.
“Professor Parcell is an example of excellent faculty at Sinclair,” he said. “He fits in at Sinclair so well because he is dedicated to excellence in his discipline. All of the faculty at Sinclair is dedicated to connecting education to student success.”