The 2023-24 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship recipient is Debra Wohl, Chair, Health Professions Advisory Committee and Professor of Biology. 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.
Professor Wohl will be recognized for her achievements during the closing reception of 2024 Etown’s Scholarship and Creative Arts Day (SCAD) on Tuesday, April 23 in the Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness and Well-Being.
“I am extremely honored to be this year’s recipient of the Polanowski Prize for Excellence,” Wohl said. “Elizabethtown College is a wonderful place to be and there are so many colleagues who deserve this recognition. I have been so fortunate to have amazing mentors in my life. Knowing I am, or can be, ‘that mentor’ for someone else and hearing about their experiences and successes, big or small, is what brings me joy. My most sincere thank you to Drs. Schmidt and Libby for establishing this award in honor of Dr. Frank Polanowski’s endless dedication to others.”
Congratulatory Statement from the 2023-24 Polanowski Prize Selection Committee:
The selection committee noted Dr. Wohl’s commitment to her students’ success through outstanding mentorship and advising. Dr. Wohl is a compassionate mentor who goes beyond her role as faculty to help students achieve important goals. Achieving this involves mentoring strategies that foster positive self-reflection to cultivate students’ self-esteem and equip them with the tools to succeed. The committee also recognized Dr. Wohl’s ongoing relationship with alumni and dedication to mentoring historically marginalized groups.
Dr. Wohl is also Chair of the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) a role that guides current students and prospective on a career path in the medical field. She approaches each student with empathy and with individualized advice based on their goals and current academic standing. All students commented that Dr. Wohl’s individualized mentoring style prepared them for academic success in Ph.D. and MD programs and beyond.
Congratulations, Dr. Wohl, for the recognition and celebration of your advising and mentoring!
About the Polanowski Prize for Excellence:
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.The Faculty Professional Development Committee and a representative group of current students chose the recipient of the Polanowski Prize from the list of faculty members who were nominated by at least three of the following constituencies: alumni, current students, faculty, and administrators/staff.