Professor of Religion Rita Lester was awarded Nebraska Wesleyan's Faculty Scholar Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who has distinguished themself through research, scholarly work, and/or creative projects.
Lester was recognized by more than one nominator for her research and commitment to students, “We are lucky to have her, as her work puts our school right at the center of major scholarly and pedagogical discourse."
Another colleague stated, "Rita’s scholarship grapples with counter-intuitive ideas; she conveys complexities in ways that students not only understand and benefit from, but that they can research, present and publish alongside her."
Lester published four peer-reviewed articles during the 2022-23 academic year on teaching religion and religious literacy.
The Nebraska Wesleyan's Faculty Development Committee established the award in 2013.
Congratulations, Rita!