Bainbridge native honored with education award

A Bainbridge native, Mark Kays now serves as the director of instrumental music at Trine University. He was recently named the Music Teacher of the Year in the 2017 Fort Wayne Education Awards.

Courtesy photo

FORT WAYNE — A Bainbridge native was one of four Trine University faculty members recognized with 2017 Education Awards, presented by Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly.

Mark Kays, who graduated from North Putnam High School and now serves as director of instrumental music at Trine, was named Music Teacher of the Year.

The awards recognize outstanding teachers in northeast Indiana who engage and inspire their students individually and as a group encouraging lifelong learning. Educators were honored at a special awards dinner Oct. 18 at the Allen County Memorial Coliseum Conference Center.

Trine University had the most awards of the local universities that had faculty named.

“The expert instruction and personal attention provided by Trine University faculty are key components of the quality education our students receive,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Trine University president. “We congratulate these faculty members for being recognized for their excellence, which is representative of the quality of our entire faculty at Trine.”

Other award winners from Trine were:

• John Milliken, J.D., professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Services and assistant vice president for academic services, named the winner of the IPFW Leadership Award for Higher Education.

• James Canino, Ph.D., associate professor in the Wade Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, named the winner of the IPFW Emerging Star Award.

• Bill Maddock, associate professor in the Ketner School of Business, named for Teaching Excellence in Sports.

“Each of these faculty members is not only skilled in their field and in imparting knowledge, they take the time to guide students who are making career and life choices,” said A. Allen Hersel, vice president for academic affairs. “I’m proud that they have received these honors and proud of all the faculty at Trine who invest themselves in their students.”

“We received a record number of nominations this year, which is heartening. There are so many people in northeast Indiana who know the critical role teachers play in our region’s growth and quality of life,” said Randy Mitchell, CEO of KPC Media Group Inc., and publisher of Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly. “We are truly privileged to be able to recognize and encourage these extraordinary teachers who are preparing our 21st-century workforce.”