Alice Bendinelli, professor of English, was named the recipient of the Charles H. and Verda R. Kopke Award for Distinguished Teaching during Southwestern College Commencement exercises Sunday, May 8. The Kopkes established the award in order to honor outstanding faculty members.

Bendinelli holds a Ph.D. in English and Literary Theory and a M.A. in Comparative Languages and Literatures from the University of Verona (Italy).

She is currently completing her coursework for a doctorate in Education at Southwestern College. She teaches several English classes, as well as Spanish and Italian language. 

“Dr. Bendinelli is an advocate for research both for her and her students, as an active member of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society,” says Southwestern College interim President Tony Crouch. “Her research interests are in trauma literature, critical animal and plant studies. She regularly presents at conferences, publishes papers, and has hosted two conferences at Southwestern College.”

Bendinelli says that she is honored to receive the Kopke award.

“It is a great honor to receive this award, especially since I regard several previous Kopke winners as role models,” Bendinelli says.  “Southwestern College offers great opportunities to its educators that larger schools do not. Whether it is by designing new classes or implementing creative pedagogical approaches, I relish the freedom to learn and explore critical issues along with my students. The Kopke Award is a testament to the participatory learning and research work that can be done at SC.”

Michelle Boucher, associate professor of English and the chair for the computer science, communications and English division, was not surprised that Bendinelli was chosen.

“I am thrilled but not surprised that Dr. Bendinelli received this year’s Kopke award,” Boucher says.  “In my 30 years at Southwestern, I have seen no one work as hard as Dr. Bendinelli has to create a vibrant and immersive learning environment in her classroom.  The honor is well deserved.”