Agnes Scott College president Leocadia I. Zak announces the faculty recipients of the Vulcan Teaching Excellence and Joseph R. Gladden Jr. Public Lecture Awards 

Bridget Roosa, associate professor of dance, director of dance studies, and chair of the Department of Theater and Dance, is the 2020 recipient of the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award.

The Vulcan Teaching Award was established in 1991 and is given annually by the Vulcan Materials Company, through the Georgia Independent College Association. The award is bestowed upon a faculty member who has made a distinct difference in the areas of model classroom teaching, campus leadership, pioneering teaching methodology, creative course development and/or instructional support. Each year, Agnes Scott professors are invited to submit nominees for this award. A committee composed of faculty, a student, an alumna and a staff member selects the recipient based on that individual’s ability to motivate and inspire students. This student, staff and faculty-driven selection process makes the Vulcan Teaching Excellence Award especially meaningful. The Award carries a $1,000 stipend endowed by Vulcan Materials and managed by the Georgia Independent Colleges Association.

One of Professor Roosa’s faculty colleagues shared this sentiment in her nomination: “Bridget Roosa is the definition of an unsung hero. Over the past 20 years, she has dedicated herself to our students, dance and theatre, and the overall wellbeing of Agnes Scott College.” Students who’ve been taught by Professor Roosa described her as an “exceptional role model,” “kind and nurturing,” “the epitome of what professors strive to be,” “my biggest inspiration,” and “a hidden gem.” 

Professor Roosa received her BFA from Southern Methodist University and her MFA from Florida State University. 

The Joseph R. Gladden, Jr. Public Lecture Award is given every two years to a member of the Agnes Scott faculty whose scholarly activities are especially noteworthy. Anne Beidler, professor of art, is the 2020 recipient of this award. This award was established by the Board of Trustees to honor Joseph Gladden, who served as chair of the board for 10 years before stepping down in 2002. Award recipients are asked to give a public lecture on a topic related to their scholarly work. A stipend and release from teaching one course during the semester in which the lecture is scheduled assists the lecturer in creating the presentation.

As a printmaker, Beidler’s craft and subject matter reflect the longstanding traditions of this discipline: precision, thinking and sharing. She has a master’s depth of knowledge of the physics and characteristics of acids, inks, extenders, solvents, papers, plates, and tools, and the physical know-how to command a printing press. 

But the true impact of Beidler’s work is her imagery. Beidler uses her knowledge to depict figures, places and texts in mark-making, and layers of textured color. Beidler’s work is a montage of her personal history; and the stories people weave to make sense of their collective history. In making multiples of her images and words in prints and books, she intentionally generates copies to be shared. Her method and her message are acts of generosity.

Professor Beidler has taught drawing, printmaking, painting and book-arts at Agnes Scott for 28 years and is unanimously appreciated by her colleagues and students. According to one of her colleagues: “Anne Beidler, a “still waters run deep” professor, carefully and consistently attends to coursework with an eye toward quality and craft. She spends long hours helping her students get all they can from the demanding printmaking process.” A student shared this insight on learning from Professor Beidler: “She pays special attention to each student’s potential and gives individual advice with care and compassion. She makes her art classes, especially printmaking, very flexible, inclusive, and supportive, allowing students the space and time to explore their passion in art.”

Professor Beidler received her BA from Earlham College, her BFA from the University of Connecticut, Storrs and her MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her work has been selected for inclusion in exhibitions throughout the world. She has also been a visiting artist at a number of colleges and universities, including Rollins College, Tulane University and Seoul Women’s University in Korea. Her work is also in private and public collections including those of Auburn University, the Wiregrass Museum in Alabama, the Kennedy Museum of Ohio University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.