Distinguished Teaching Award Presented at Holy Cross' Annual Fall Convocation

WORCESTER, Mass. – James M. Kee, associate professor of English and a member of the Holy Cross faculty since 1981, received the College’s 2007 Distinguished Teaching Award at the annual Fall Faculty Convocation and Awards Ceremony.

The Holy Cross Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes and honors the teaching excellence of the College’s faculty. A committee of students, faculty, alumni and administrators selects the honoree after careful review of nominations from individuals and groups on campus. Recipients demonstrate the College’s commitment to teaching and personalized instruction by making ideas come alive for students both in and out of the classroom. The Distinguished Teacher is invited to give the principal address during the Faculty Convocation and is awarded a $1,000 honorarium.

"Professor Kee is one of Holy Cross's finest teachers, and he has inspired generations of Holy Cross English students in his courses in Critical Reading & Writing, Medieval Literature, and Literary Theory,” said Rev. James Miracky, S.J., associate professor and chair of the English department “Drawing from his passion for philosophy, Professor Kee leads his students to thoughtful reflection on the fundamental questions about humanity that are raised in literary texts and how they call us to the moral life.”

Kee received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia. In addition to serving on numerous Holy Cross committees, he previously served as associate dean of the College for six years and as acting dean for two years. Kee was among the first recipients of the Arthur J. O’Leary Faculty Recognition Awards, given for outstanding work to the College through teaching, scholarship, and service. He is the author of numerous articles on literature including “Typology and Tradition: Refiguring the Bible in Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost,’” “‘Postmodern’ Thinking and the Status of the Religious,” and “Northrop Frye and the Poetry in Biblical Hermeneutics.” He is also the editor of Northrop Frye and the Afterlife of the Word (Semeia 89). He is a resident of Paxton.

Also honored at the Fall Convocation were faculty members John F. Axelson, professor of psychology, and Joanna Ziegler, professor and chair of the visual arts department.  Both received the Rev. Raymond J. Swords, S.J., Faculty Medal, presented to members of the faculty who have served the College for 25 years or more.