Two Faculty Receive Alpha Sigma Nu Awards
Dr. Aaron Van Dyke, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and Dr. Evelyn Bilias Lolis, assistant professor for the Department of Psychological and Educational Consultation in the Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP), have been selected by Alpha Sigma Nu as ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp's Undergraduate and Graduate Teacher of the Year, respectively.
Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society, serves to reward and encourage scholarship, loyalty, and service to the ideals of Jesuit higher education. The honors, given annually, were decided on by Fairfield students.
Dr. Van Dyke’s specialty is organic chemistry, while also teaching biochemistry and culinary chemistry. His current project is designing a chemical probe that can label proteins in living systems. The probe will “tag” the proteins in the cells without altering their essential functions. Dr. Van Dyke has received many honors and awards with the American Cancer Society, including his postdoctoral fellowship with the Michigan Cancer Society Fund and the Craig Howel Travel Fund. He graduated summa cum laude from Seattle University with honors in 2004, and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu as a student in 2004.
"I’m very humbled to have been selected for this award, especially having witnessed the talent of my colleagues on campus,” said Van Dyke. “I was fortunate to have mentors at Seattle University – our peer Jesuit institution – who ignited my passion for teaching. I’m grateful that Fairfield’s students think I do it well."
Dr. Lolis teaches graduate courses for the Department of Psychological and Educational Consultation, as well as formerly serving as associate dean of GSEAP. She has dedicated her career to training and developing prospective school psychologists, school counselors, and special educators while also continuing to consult to local school districts in the area of school climate reform and the provision of comprehensive school-based mental health services. As a result of this work, Dr. Lolis was a University nominee for the national Ernest A. Lynton for Engaged Scholarship for Early Career Faculty. She has presented her work at national and international conference venues and has authored and hosted numerous professional developments for local school districts. Dr. Lolis holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Fordham University, a master of arts degree in school psychology from ¶¶Ňô»ĆƬapp, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut.
“I am deeply humbled in receiving the Alpha Sigma Nu Graduate Teacher of the Year award,” said Lolis, “especially at an institution that holds such high standards for teaching excellence. I am profoundly grateful to and for my students; for the honor they have given me; for providing the inspiration that fuels my teaching; for their critical inquiries that keep me curious and intellectually thirsty; and for their commitment to becoming compassionate professionals, competent leaders, and courageous social change agents. At Fairfield, we thrive for them and because of them.”
Picture L-R:Â Rev. Michael J. Doody, S.J, Dr. Evelyn Lolis, Raymond Bourdeau, Dr. Aaron Van Dyke, Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J.
