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Dr. Dennis R. Ryan, professor of religious studies and philosophy at The College of New Rochelle, recently received the 2015 Distinguished Teaching Award from the American Catholic Historical Association (ACHA). He was recognized for his dedication and commitment to the teaching profession for the past 44 years.
The award was presented during the association’s annual Presidential Luncheon Jan. 3 at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan.
Dr. Ryan has taught at The College of New Rochelle since 1971, when he began as an assistant professor of religious studies. Over the years, his course offerings have included Religious Experiences of the East, Morality and Sexuality, Death and the Grieving Process, Western Cultural Heritage and Freshman Writing.
ACHA annually bestows three distinguished service awards: for teaching, scholarship and contribution to Catholic studies. The Distinguished Teaching Award is presented to a college or university professor who has demonstrated a high commitment to teaching beyond the expected requirements of their position and through their influence and skill have promoted 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 studies.
The nomination application for Dr. Ryan included student course evaluations that reflected the admiration the students had for him. One student described Dr. Ryan as “an excellent teacher who not only teaches religion but allows you to connect to the subject.”
