Kenneth Pennington Wins Excellence in Teaching Award

Kenneth Pennington

The American Catholic Historical Association confers its Excellence in Teaching Award on Professor Kenneth Pennington, Kelly-Quinn Professor of Ecclesiastical History at The Catholic University of America. This award honors a college or university professor who has demonstrated a high commitment to teaching beyond the expected requiremetns of their position. Through their influence and skill, the honoree has promoited Catholic studies from one generation of scholars to another. Through this award, the ACHA recognizes the importance of creative and effective teaching in the growth of Catholic studes.

Dr. Pennington is a dynamic presence in the classroom, winning plaudits from both student and colleagues. Fr. Steven Avella wrote in a letter to Dr. Pennington:

I noted that your students raved about their experiences in your classroom–especially when you came in character as Peter Abelard! Just a sampler of some of their comments: “…an excellent professor…as the semester went on I didn’t want to miss any class.” “Great class, I’ve been recommending it to as many people as I can” “P. is awesome. He loves his subject.” and the best of all, “he loves his students.” Indeed, that last comment sums it up Dr. Pennington–you love your students and that has apparently made all the difference in the world. It is a special joy for the ACHA–long headquartered at the CUA campus– to honor a man of your abilities, talents and skills.

Dr. Pennington will be honored at the luncheon at the annual ACHA meeting in Boston in Janaury 2011.

The text of Dr. Pennington’s letter of acceptance is reproduced below.

Dear Professor Avella,

I am honored and humbled to receive the American Catholic Historical Association’s Excellence in Teaching award.  Honored because it is a thrill to receive a national award;  humbled because I know how many other extraordinary teachers there are who introduce students to the rich, complex, and wonderful history of the Catholic Church.  Since I moved to Catholic University ten years ago, I have been privileged to teach the history of the medieval church to undergraduates and the compelling history of the Church’s legal system to graduate students. Here at Catholic  I teach nothing else but the history of the Church, its jurisprudence, and its institutions.  That has been a gift for which I will always be grateful.  Rarely, I think, do teachers have an opportunity to teach only the subjects to which they have devoted their scholarly lives.  I am convinced that I have become a better teacher because of it.

Yours,

Ken Pennington
Kelly-Quinn Professor of Ecclesiastical and Legal History