2007 Myser Awards for Teaching Excellence

In 2007, reunion alumnae chose the teachers who most had a positive influence on their lives to win the Myser Award for Teaching Excellence: Barbara Boyce Biales, Psychology; Mary Ann Brenden, Social Work; Marguerite Hessian-Gatz (Sr. Joan Arthur), Nursing; and Ed Sellner, Theology and Pastoral Ministry. These four distinguished teachers each received the Myser Faculty Award for Excellence and a monetary gift. The award was initiated by Patricia O’Connor Myser ’56 and her husband John.

The award-winners share some candid thoughts about their work:

Barbara Boyce Biales, Professor Emerita of Psychology For 37 years, Barbara Boyce Biales ‘57 has taught students in psychology. Sister Annette Walters and Marie Corrigan served as her role models as teachers of insight and compassion. Biales served nine years as department chair (1979-1988). A classmate said of her, “I always found her to be a fair teacher, pleasant and willing to listen – obviously a ‘Katie.’ She has been the same since graduation too!” Summing up the reasons for this award an alum remarked: “Barbara is a kind, open person who cares about others no matter what is going on with her life.” “My philosophy of teaching” said Boyce Biales,“was to be as fair, objective, and encouraging to students as possible. I also wanted to open them up to the greater world. Since I had such good role models at CSC, I tried to be a good model for the possibility of young women combining family and career, a paradigm that wasn't too popular yet in the '60s and early '70s.” ”I'm not sure we ever really know if we are successful as a teacher, because each student is different and has needs which we may or may not have the skills to meet. We do have the pleasure of seeing some students really succeed while they are at CSC, and others surprise us with their successes after college. That is why it is so good to hear from alumnae. Their various stories energize me.” ”My subject matter was developmental psychology, and as the mother of four young daughters (all to become CSC alumnae), I was provided with plenty of child psychology examples. I brought them to class. Experience with my father's Alzheimer's Disorder later interested me in the problems of aging. When an advisee asked me to provide a course on the topic of aging, I used one of my sabbaticals to do research in and introduce a new course called ‘The Psychology of Adulthood and Aging.’ That advisee and several other students went on to do graduate work and have careers working with older people.” Boyce Biales is presently retired, but she stated: ”My thoughts about aging are that we are never too old to learn and to contribute.” She and her husband, Albert, who taught for 35 years in the music department, teach a course for seniors that combines music and psychology, called "Mad Characters of the Opera." Recently her developmental study of the life of Shirley Chisholm was published in the book by department colleague Eileen Gavin ‘53: Women of Vision: Their Psychology, Circumstances, and Success. Boyce Biales mused: “The Myser Award is like a wonderful lifetime achievement award to me. It inspires me to continue, because it tells me I have had some impact on students. I made a difference in their lives. What a wonderful confirmation of my career!”

Mary Ann Brenden, Associate Professor of Social Work Mary Ann Brenden just completed her 27th year as part of the teaching faculty of CSC. Noted an alum: “Mary Ann was the first faculty member who reached out to me in a very personal way and demonstrated the true value St. Kate’s faculty have in their students. She continues to devote countless energies to the College.” Another observed: “I remember Professor Brenden as being a very dedicated, knowledgeable instructor of Social Policy. She was also a very down-to-earth approachable professional who had her students’ best interests at heart.” Though Brenden is known for being tough and rigorous, a former student stated: “I always remember her support and guidance, and I looked forward to her big smile.” Brenden herself admitted: “I challenge students, who often enter social work because they want ‘to help people,’ to see past individuals and families to the larger systems that impact their lives. I set the bar high and then do my best to support students and draw out their best work. The feedback I most often receive from alumnae is that of delayed appreciation for the lessons learned through my courses, lessons learned about themselves -- their talents, strengths and assets -- and lessons learned about social policy and social work-- about how a stronger community/society 'builds' stronger families and individuals. By investing in stronger communities and social institutions, we generate positive outcomes in the lives of many individuals, families and groups... that is what social work is all about.” “My goal . . . is to equip students with the knowledge, values, and skills they need to ethically and effectively practice social work... and, perhaps, more importantly, to empower them to identify their personal call not just to social work but, more importantly, to life. I want to help them discern their own unique gifts and the contributions they are called to make... those that only they can contribute, … a sense of the cosmic why, why are they here?” “Social work is all about the principles of human dignity and the common good -- within families, organizations and community, as well as societally and globally. The personal is political. Helping students recognize that health care, education, and economic policy are a reflection of a society's commitment to human dignity and the common good is what it is all about.” I am humbled by this award. I still go into each class anxious about whether I will be able to help the students 'connect the dots' one more time. I learn incredible lessons from them -- from their openness and cooperation as well as their resistance. And I continue learning from them after they graduate, move on into social practice and stay in touch. My efforts rest completely on those of my students and alumnae. Without their zeal and idealism, their savvy and guts, their courage and hard work, all would be for naught.

Marguerite Hessian-Gatz, Professor Emerita of Nursing It would take pages to hold the comments of praise for Marguerite Hessian ‘49, formerly Sister Joan Arthur “(JA to us)”, who spent well over thirty years teaching at CSC, for many years heading the Department of Nursing. “Marguerite Hessian was an outstanding leader,” remembered one alum. “She is the one who put CSC on the map.” She was a “visionary” declared another. “Her sense of humor was a blessing for those of us majoring in a sometimes heart-breaking profession.” “Sister Joan Arthur, Marguerite Hessian, was our fearless leader and compassionate friend, all in one little package. We respected and loved her, especially when she overlooked our sunburns after convocation day sunning on the roof of Mary Hall.” Marguerite Hessian-Gatz agreed that she had “a lot of good years” at St. Catherine’s. She helped the nursing program grow from a diploma program into a degree, and students grow from tentative young women into confident nurses and people. “I tried to be very honest and so they knew what I was thinking. I did have a lot of energy, and I think, I hope, I have a good sense of humor.” “Nursing is a wonderful profession. It has some very sad moments and some glorious ones. It is so much fun to go through all these experiences with students. More than in other subjects, you see both life and death; you see lots of suffering and lots of wonderful things, and you are able to help people when they are going to die. I would often assign students to those patients so I could be with them through this learning experience.” Marguerite advised students from freshman year onward and then taught the upper level nursing courses. “College was a very exciting and vulnerable time for the students. It was a significant time of searching; some were facing issues with their families, some with relationships, both good and bad. The education was not just about nursing but it was a prep for life and learning, and I was learning along with them.” “I tried to notice if they had potential that they weren’t living up to or hadn’t noticed, to help them use their gifts and broaden themselves… They taught me patience, and how to look at things another way – about living, not just about nursing.” She found the Myser Award a wonderful honor and affirmation of her work. In retirement, she’s not letting the grass grow under her feet, gardening, volunteering in her parish, visiting the elderly, sick, and homebound, singing in the Minnetonka Senior Choir (“loads of fun”), and trying to keep in touch with friends. She married for the first time at 76. “I have a wonderful husband and six beautiful grandchildren…I’m enjoying life very much.”

Edward Sellner, Professor of Theology, Spirituality, and Pastoral Theology After 26 years of teaching at CSC, the most consistent comment in student evaluations for Ed Sellner is ‘he has a passion for what he teaches.” According to alumnae, he’s also “a really nice and cool guy” with a “genuine care for his students.” Other alumnae described him: “He lives as he believes – a man of integrity. He was an excellent professor – a man of knowledge, humor, and integrity. He deserves acknowledgment for his excellence!” “He made Christian spirituality modern and accessible.” Sellner explained his approach: “I try to convey that the material I’m teaching is very real -- is my spirituality, my values, but I don’t want the students to just take these beliefs but to clarify their own values and discover their own spiritual resources. I say to the students at the beginning of each course, . .’ I won’t attempt to give you answers but to help you make connections with your life experiences.’ There should be questions. My courses are not indoctrination in the Christian faith but a sharing of the tremendous resources it offers to one’s life. For those students who are not Catholic, and increasingly I have students of many faiths, I say the same thing to them, asking them to discover the spiritual resources within their own traditions, … and then I have all the students dialog with each other.” “I teach pastoral spirituality as well, and my experiences come not just from the Catholic Church but from the recovery community. I want to convey spirituality grounded in the relevance of the everyday, of contemporary manifestations of spiritual realities. . .I study and teach the past but always though the perspective of ‘What does history have to teach us now?’ ” “I frequently have students write a life story so they can articulate their lives and their spiritual resources, face their questions and search for wisdom. It’s a lifelong search. You don’t just complete a theology course or degree and it’s all done, but you continue to examine and question throughout your life. We are not meant to be passive observers, but full participants, and that presumes there will be changes to be made.” Sellner was deeply gratified and touched by the award. “My goal is to continue to teach as effectively as I can and write books with all the research and reflection each involves.” His writing helps his teaching and his teaching helps his writing. What’s next for Sellner after numerous books and years of teaching? His study interests are turning toward Eastern spirituality and what these traditions have to offer Christianity. He wants to explore how Eastern and Western perspectives oppose, compliment, and intersect. He has already added a global spirituality course to the master’s program in Organizational Leadership. “My students are definitely ready for this!” he added. So is he.

Related Links:
Myser Award Winners from 2006