Student and faculty awards presented at Graduate Commencement

A top graduate student award was given to a master’s degree recipient in McDaniel College’s Deaf Education program during the May 18 Graduate Commencement ceremony. In addition, the Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant was presented to an assistant professor in the Counseling program and the Shelton Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence was presented to a senior online graduate adjunct lecturer in Special Education. 

The B. Jill Brooks Hodge Professional Development Award 

Established in 2011 to honor to the memory of B. Jill Brooks Hodge, who received a Bachelor of Arts in 1979 and a Master of Education in 1981, by friends, family, and sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Kappa in honor of the significant impact she had on her students, family, and friends as a person of acceptance, humility, education and compassion. This award is designated for professional development, is presented annually to a graduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, and who is preferably majoring in Deaf Education.

Kai Christenberry of Moody, Alabama, is the 2024 recipient of The B. Jill Brooks Hodge Professional Development Award. He earned a master’s degree in Deaf Education. 

Christenberry says that his decision to enroll in the Deaf Education program at McDaniel stemmed from wanting to learn more about how to help and support his Deaf students and he is thankful for the opportunity to learn new things every day and improve his teaching skills.   

He moved to Alabama after being adopted from China at the age of 13. He is one of eight children with four of his siblings also adopted, including a brother and sister who are Deaf and adopted from China. A graduate of Gallaudet University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Recreation, where he was a member of the cross country, swimming, and track and field teams, he is the first among his Deaf siblings to earn a graduate degree.   

Christenberry currently teaches physical education at the Alabama School for the Deaf and is an assistant track and field coach. He previously taught Pre-K through high school, including students with special needs.  

The Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant 

The Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant encourages a significant project designed to enhance teaching. The award favors, but is not limited to, faculty in the first decade of service at McDaniel College and is designed to demonstrate the college’s ultimate commitment to the classroom as our most important function. 

Assistant Professor of Counseling Lyneia Richardson received the 2024 Ira G. Zepp Teaching Enhancement Grant. Richardson joined the McDaniel faculty in 2022 and teaches courses in the School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling programs such as Psychology of Abnormal Behavior, Family Counseling, and Diversity in Counseling. A licensed psychologist, Richardson is the owner of Melanated Women’s Therapy LLC in Baltimore.  

Richardson holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Howard University. 

Her proposed project is for the development and implementation of a conference-style residency experience for graduate students in the Counseling program. The aim of the residency is to foster connection, community, and innovative thinking among students, faculty, and staff. Through virtual and in-person sessions and workshops, students will be able to network and gain additional professional development in the program.  

Shelton Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Established in 2018 through the generosity of Dr. Barbara P. Shelton ’70 and Dr. Gordon B. Shelton ’68, this award recognizes an outstanding adjunct faculty member at the graduate or undergraduate level whose teaching demonstrates a commitment to excellence and genuine care for their students.   

The recipient of the 2024 Shelton Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence is Claudia Bowen, senior online graduate adjunct lecturer in Special Education. 

Bowen has been an integral part of the McDaniel faculty since 1973, both teaching and developing courses on inclusive education, strategies and theories for teaching exceptional children, parent conferencing skills, and more. She has mentored countless graduate students, who describe her courses as challenging and engaging, and who value her perspective and practical experiences in special education.  

Bowen is known for supporting her colleagues and demonstrating dedication to the Special Education program and Graduate and Professional Studies at the college. Often leading by example, she has been involved in every accreditation process during her tenure. 

Bowen has been a school psychologist in Carroll County Public Schools since 1973 and has worked with children from birth through middle school. She has also been an instructor in Carroll County Public Schools and Baltimore County Public Schools, and at Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julia College) and Towson University (formerly Towson State University). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Education, and Special Education from Mary Manse College, a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University Maryland (formerly Loyola College), and additional certificates and coursework from McDaniel College, Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, the Fielding Institute, University of Maryland, and Towson University.