Dr. Von Bakanic, Associate Professor of Sociology, received the College of Charleston’s 2012 ExCEL Award for Faculty of the Year in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Bakanic’s award recognizes her tireless efforts in the classroom and beyond. Dr. Bakanic is the prototypical teacher-scholar whose teaching and research are complementary and often seamlessly interwoven. Her research expertise in prejudice, gender, race and ethnicity translates into all of her courses, especially her upper-level classes including Prejudice, Race and Ethnicity, African American Society and Culture and White Privilege. Her expertise is best reflect by the publication of her 2009 book titled, Prejudice: Attitudes about Race, Class and Gender. Dr. Bakanic has a long track record of mentoring students through work on one-on-one independent study projects or by helping students outside of the classroom to understand course material. gives freely of her time by meeting with students outside of class.
Dr. Bakanic has lent her expertise in service to the college and the community. She was co-organizer of the College of Charleston’s 2006 Campus Climate Survey for which she devoted hundreds of hours to developing and administering the survey to college faculty, staff and students. Dr. Bakanic has also served the college as a Faculty Senator representing the Department of Sociology and Anthropology while serving on five different college-wide committees during the past decade. Dr. Bakanic has also been an invaluable asset to the community beyond the college’s campus, serving on the Board of Directors of People Against Rape for the last 16 years, including a two year stint as chair of the Board from 1999-2001.
Congratulations to Dr. Bakanic and thank you for all you have done for the department, the college and the community.