Hillsdale College’s Benedict Whalen Receives Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence
HILLSDALE, Mich. — The 2024 Emily Daugherty Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to Associate Professor of English Benedict Whalen. Faculty, students, and friends of Hillsdale College recognized Whalen at Spring Convocation on April 11.
“Benedict Whalen is a very talented and capable teacher who continues to impress us,” said Hillsdale College Provost Chris VanOrman. “He has found a unique and appealing way of teaching that qualifies him for this distinction.”
Whalen has been a professor at Hillsdale College since 2014 and teaches introductory and advanced courses in English literature, including “Great Books in the Western Tradition,” “Great Books in the British and American Traditions,” “Early Shakespeare,” and “Shakespeare’s Tragedies.” Whalen earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Hillsdale College has an excellent faculty, filled with fine teachers and scholars. I am deeply honored to have received this award,” said Whalen. “And, it is a joy to teach here — the students are engaged and genuinely interested in their studies. You cannot say that about just any college.”
This annual award is named in honor of Emily Daugherty, who taught in elementary and secondary schools and personified the finest traditions of the teaching profession. Daugherty devoted her life to transmitting knowledge, wisdom, and virtue to her students.
For a headshot and photos from the ceremony, click here.