Elizabeth Bloomer receives Sporn Award for Teaching Introductory Subjects

Elizabeth Bloomer, an instructor in the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, recently received the university's 2008 Sporn Award for Teaching Introductory Subjects.

Sponsored by the Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Virginia Tech Academy for Teaching Excellence, the Sporn Award for Teaching Introductory Subjects is presented annually to a Virginia Tech faculty member to recognize excellence in teaching introductory-level courses. Nominations are received from students, and recipients are selected from a committee comprised of student representatives from Omicron Delta Kappa and Golden Key honor societies and a faculty advisor who was the previous year's award winner. Recipients are awarded a $2,000 cash prize and are inducted into the university’s Academy of Teaching Excellence.

The award was established in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Philip J. Sporn. Dr. Sporn was a Virginia Tech alumnus and president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power Company

“The selection committee composed of students was impressed by her dedication to students,” said committee coordinator W.E. “Bill” Beal, "and how her impact extended beyond the classroom.”

Beal also noted how students indicated that Bloomer helped them overcome their “fear” of writing, and how she encouraged them to personalize and take ownership of their writing.

“By the time the committee’s deliberations were completed, several members expressed their disappointment that they didn’t have the opportunity to be one of her students,” said Beal.

Bloomer received a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree from Hollins University.