Liberty announces President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching 

Five Liberty University professors have been named recipients of the 2024-25 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching for their continued work in fulfilling Liberty’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. 

The award is the university’s most prestigious annual academic honor, celebrating faculty who have promoted significant student learning, evidenced by creative and innovative approaches to teaching, the effective use of instructional technology, and exceptional pedagogical skills, as well as their impact on student faith, thought, and character that fully realizes the vision of Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell. 

Recipients were recognized during the Commencement degree presentation ceremony for their school or college. 

The award process involves a formal nomination, dean support, faculty input, and student contribution. The Center for Teaching Excellence oversees the adjudication and process. Winners are recommended by confidential scoring committees, comprised of select staff, faculty, academic leadership, and past winners, and are affirmed by the Office of the Provost. 

“This year’s recipients of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to student learning and Christ-centered education,” said Dr. Alexandra Barnett, director of the Center for Teaching Excellence. “Their selection highlights a remarkable level of impact and distinction within an already exceptional faculty body. We congratulate them on this prestigious and well-deserved recognition.” 

2024-25 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching 

Dr. Dan Berkenkemper 

Department Chair and Associate Professor for Academic Success Center, College of Arts & Sciences 

In his classes, Berkenkemper embraces teaching with technology through video discussion boards, online escape rooms, and game-based learning, and he encourages students to utilize AI tools to enhance study practices. Through inquiry-based learning, he challenges students’ assumptions based on biases or logical fallacies. Attending to his students’ spiritual and intellectual growth, Berkenkemper weaves Scripture into his course design and classroom rhythms and prays with and for his students. Berkenkemper has presented his ideas in numerous classrooms and conferences. 

Dr. Virginia Dow  

Associate Professor of English and Chair of the English Department, College of Arts & Sciences  

Dow exemplifies the synergy of content, relationship, and Christian faith as a teacher and a lifelong learner. She pursues innovative opportunities for students to experience their learning through varied presentation methods, including IlLUminate Grant projects. Dow consistently monitors student feedback through assessment results, or formal Teaching Analysis Polls, and adjusts her instruction accordingly. Her open-door policy for questions and conversation is matched by Dow’s attendance at students’ extracurricular activities. 

Dr. Chelsea Milks 

Associate Professor and Director of Event Planning and Professional and Creative Industries, College of Arts & Sciences 

Milks connects the classroom to the community through the Liberty Bridal Expo, which hosts 45 vendors and 500 attendees, and the Makers Market, which has expanded to 50 vendors and 2,000 attendees. She has contributed to the growth of the FACS: Event Planning program, which has grown to nearly 100 majors. In the classroom, her innovations include flipped learning, mock weddings, SWOT analyses of major events, and professional certificate completion. Dr. Milks invests in mentoring her students professionally, personally, and spiritually.  

Dr. Hanna Byrd 

Online Instructional Mentor and Assistant Professor of Worship, School of Music 

 Byrd considers the diversity of learning styles in her online courses by hosting optional live discussions in MS Teams, incorporating artistic assignments, and offering assignment feedback through video and screen capture recording. Her goal is for her online students to experience their work as worship. Many students view taking her course as a highlight of their experience at Liberty University because she leads them in drawing closer to Christ as well as in growing in their personal and professional lives. 

Dr. Sherri Walker 

Director for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program, Assistant Professor, and Instructional Mentor, School of Nursing 

Walker approaches her teaching as she does her nursing, with a body, mind, and soul approach. She embraces teaching with technology, including simulation technologies like a dementia VR experience, a Schizophrenia headset experience, and a telehealth patient simulation. Walker helps her students apply their learning by asking challenging questions about how to integrate faith and patient care in a secular world.