2021 Teaching Excellence AwardKurt Gering, instructor of practice in the College of Business Administration, is the recipient of a 2021 John P. Raynor, S.J. Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.
Marquette鈥檚 Teaching Excellence Awards are the highest honor bestowed upon university faculty members. Recipients are nominated by colleagues and students for demonstrating excellence as teacher-scholars. The awards are supported by grants from the Robert and Mary Gettel Fund, the Stearns Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence G. Haggerty.
鈥淚 am so honored to be recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award,鈥� Kurt says. 鈥淚n truth, though, much of the credit for this award goes to my colleagues. I have learned so much from each of them these past five years. So, while my name may be on the award, it is really scaffolded with my learnings of the many great things all our faculty do every day.鈥�
Kurt is revered for his teaching style that promotes engagement and inspires learning that never stops.
鈥淢uch like life,鈥� Gering notes, 鈥渢eaching is also a journey of continuous discernment and the word that most accurately summarizes my teaching philosophy now is engagement. Course engagement, student engagement, corporate engagement, community engagement and social engagement. All of which are carefully braided together to ensure a meaningful student-learning experience. Ultimately, I see my role as one that is enacted both in and beyond the classroom, facilitating a student鈥檚 entire journey at Marquette in becoming a problem-solver and agent for change in a complex and changing world. In the spirit of St. Ignatius and Jacques Marquette, my aim is that students are ready in every way 鈥榯o go and set the world on fire.鈥欌��
What also sets Kurt apart is the way in which he incorporates 鈥渆xperiential learning鈥� in the classroom. One of his students says he appreciates how Kurt is always able to find a unique way to lecture for the first half of the class, and end with engaging, interactive activities. The student added that this process allows students to be active learners and remember content long after the course concludes.
In addition, Kurt invites guest lecturers from the business world to speak to his students on a personal level, share their experiences in the industry, offer advice and more.
One of the many people who nominated Kurt for the award wrote, 鈥淧rofessor Gering pushes his students to strive for excellence. Not only does he genuinely care for his students inside the classroom, but he also makes an effort to get to know his students on a personal level outside of the classroom.鈥�
The nominator fondly remembers the time Kurt, over a Microsoft Teams call, influenced their family member to pursue a master鈥檚 degree through Marquette鈥檚 Graduate School of Management.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 just the power he holds,鈥� she adds.
Another nominator tells the story of how Kurt made her feel included when she was sick in bed and could not attend a class guest lecture during which Ian鈥檚 Pizza was also being served.
鈥淚ncredibly, Professor Gering packaged up a few slices and had one of the Marquette LIMO drivers drop it off at my sorority house,鈥� the nominator wrote. 鈥淎nd he even remembered the ranch dressing!鈥�
Kurt says his decision to teach full time was a gift from God that allowed him to impact the lives of others in ways her never imagined.
鈥淎ll aspects of life, the joyful and the challenging, contain opportunities for growth and learning,鈥� Kurt says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the message I want to convey to my students through my teachings.鈥�
