The 2019-2020 recipient of the Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship is Bryan Greenberg, Associate Professor of Marketing in the College’s Business Department.
The award is presented to an Elizabethtown College faculty member to commend and celebrate excellence in advising and mentoring students toward successful graduate school placement and/or careers. Selected by Etown’s Professional Development Committee and a representative group of current students, the recipient of the Polanowski Prize is chosen from the list of faculty members who were nominated by at least three of the following constituencies: alumni, current students, faculty, and staff.
The selection committee noted that Dr. Greenberg’s positive impact on Elizabethtown College students though his mentoring and advising deserves recognition and celebration. Nomination letters praised his care and compassion for students and alumni and devotion to helping students build their professional lives as well as his honest dialog and ability to instill confidence. Many expressed gratitude for helping them apply for jobs or graduate school, prepare for interviews, and network.
One student who applied to the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business said, “Dr. Greenberg helped me generate creative ideas for catching the eye of the admissions committee… took it upon himself to call the admissions committee and vouch on my behalf.” In letter after letter, students and alumni credit him directly for landing their desired internship or job. Many nominators describe his “direct truthfulness” and “radical candor” as preparing them for their professional lives. One alum wrote, “Dr. Greenberg above all is real with students. He was straightforward with me about my strengths and weaknesses and it has helped point me in directions that are beneficial to my career.” Another alum states, “His strong, straight-out-of Brooklyn attitude encapsulates his expectations, as he pushes you to be the best student, businessperson, and community member you can be.”
Polanowski Prize Background:
The Polanowski Prize for Excellence, which has been made possible through the generosity of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby, honors Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus, for his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.