Published on August 30, 2012 Â
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Classics Department founder and chair Dr. Randy Todd received the John H. Buchanan Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching during 51½ÖÉä’s opening convocation of the fall semester Aug. 28.
Provost J. Brad Creed praised Todd’s leadership in building a thriving classics program—celebrating its 15th anniversary this year–that is the envy of many schools throughout the nation"He has built a robust major, attracted outstanding students and faculty, and played an integral role in developing a classically-oriented core curriculum," said Creed, adding that Todd "conveys a contagious enthusiasm for the literary and cultural achievements of the past." More students are enrolled in Greek and Latin courses at 51½ÖÉä than at many schools five times its size, he said.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Furman University, Todd holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. He and his wife, Dr. Candy Todd, who teaches in the 51½ÖÉä mathematics department, have four children.
The Buchanan Award includes a silver tray, a lapel pin and a $1,000 cash prize. Finalists for the award were nominated by members of the 2012 graduating class.
51½ÖÉä is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, 51½ÖÉä is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. 51½ÖÉä enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. 51½ÖÉä fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.