Spoon River College faculty member Amy Rutledge is this year’s recipient of the H. Truman Standard Award, presented for teaching excellence, meritorious service to the institution, and adherence to the SRC core values of Caring, Respect, Integrity, Fairness, and Responsibility.
The H. Truman Standard award is presented annually to a faculty member who exemplifies excellence in teaching, outstanding service to the institution, and a strong commitment to Spoon River College’s core values of Caring, Respect, Integrity, Fairness, and Responsibility.
This year’s recipient, Amy Rutledge, has been a dedicated member of the Spoon River College full-time faculty team since joining the Biology Department in 2014. Throughout her tenure, she has taught General Biology I and II, Botany and Zoology, Environmental Science, and Principles of Microbiology. She is recognized for her depth of knowledge and her genuine passion for helping students achieve their academic goals.
Professor Rutledge is also deeply engaged in campus life. She has been the driving force behind the College Poster Presentations, an initiative she introduced early in her time at the college. Through her continued leadership and coordination, the event has grown into a dynamic academic experience, offering students the opportunity to participate in research presentations typically reserved for the university level. In addition to teaching and serving on multiple committees, Professor Rutledge has recently taken on the coordination of our College Theme and the College Theme Presentations, which highlight the similarities and uniqueness of academic disciplines and career fields.
Her impact is perhaps best reflected in the words of her students. One student shares that she “recognizes that Biology is not always the easiest subject and does her best to make her classes enjoyable and easy to understand. She is always positive and willing to help whenever needed.”
Another student says, “She loves Biology, even though that darn cellular respiration is a hard one to teach. She should get an award just for making that a little easier to understand.”
Through her commitment to teaching, service, and student success, Professor Rutledge truly embodies the spirit of the H. Truman Standard Award.
The award was presented during an employee appreciation luncheon, and was announced at the college’s 65th Commencement on May 14 at the Canton Campus.