FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2012
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Pieschel receives Kossen Faculty Excellence Award at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Dr. Bridget Pieschel, professor of English and director of the Center for Women’s Research and Public Policy at Mississippi University for Women, was honored with the 2012 Kossen Faculty Excellence Award.

The award, which includes a $5,000 stipend, recognizes the role of faculty as the heart of the university. It was established in 2004 by Connie Kossen, a 1964 alumna of MUW, and her husband Tom.

Criterion for the award is based on three fundamentals: excellence in teaching, excellence in scholarly or artistic achievement and excellence in service, preferably both on campus and in communities throughout MUW’s service area. Further, to be considered for this award, a faculty member must exhibit a commitment to student success in each of these three areas of responsibility.

Throughout the year, Pieschel presents to various civic and student groups about MUW’s history and 19th century women’s education.

The CWRPP’s research focuses on all issues affecting women and girls, and particularly on the history of MUW and women’s education. It offers students the opportunity for hands-on primary research in women’s studies and women’s issues. The center’s student/alumnae collaborative Oral History Program resulted in the publication of “Golden Days: Reminiscences of MSCW Alumnae 1926-1957” by University Press of Mississippi.

Pieschel’s career started at MUW in1986 and includes previously serving as the director of the Honors Program and head of the Division of Humanities for seven years. She was the recipient of the MUW Medal of Excellence in 2005.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Thomas C. Richardson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said, “Dr. Pieschel is first and foremost and outstanding teacher. Her student evaluations are consistently the highest, whether they are from students in a required composition course or in an upper-level course for majors.”

“I know of no one who has done more for the students of MUW and the institution itself that Dr. Pieschel in her 29 years as a faculty member here,” he added.

Her professional and community involvement include serving as president of the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters, a state director for the Southern Literary Trails committee and steering committee member for Columbus’ annual Tennessee Williams Tribute weekend.

She’s also a member of the Board of Directors of the Columbus GirlChoir and on the Girl Scouts Community Advisory Board for the district serving north Mississippi and east Tennessee, and she has been appointed to the Regional Board of Directors.

A native Mississippian who grew up in Winston and Calhoun counties, Pieschel received a bachelor of science in English in 1979, graduating summa cum laude from MUW. She also holds a master’s degree in English from MUW and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Alabama.

She is married to MUW English professor emeritus Stephen Pieschel with whom she co-authored the centennial history of MUW in “Loyal Daughters.”