Last spring, when most students were concentrating on exams and summer vacation, Saint Mary's recognized two of its professors for excellence in education.

Professor Jill Vihtelic received the Spes Unica Award for service at Saint Mary's, and Sister Jean Klene was the recipient of the Maria Pieta Award.

Vihtelic presides over many committees and is the chair of the business administration/economics department at the College. She is also a faculty trustee and president of The National Academy of Financial Services.

"I felt happy, humbled and more than a little nervous," Vihtelic said upon receiving this honor.

Vihtelic said she wanted to encourage and inspire students and other faculty to strive for success.

"As I tell my students, success comes easily if you find happiness, pleasure and fulfillment in your work," Vihtelic said.

Klene received the 1999-2000 Pieta Award, which recognizes those who have demonstrated commitment toward excellence in education.

Klene has been an English professor at the College for 35 years. During this time, she said she has organized trips and used the latest technologies for English education.

"First I felt joy and gratitude on receiving the award — joy that students understood my goals and gratitude that they had written a letter for me," Klene said.

She explained that she had a specific, though simple, goal for her students.

"I aimed for students to see how their lives could be enriched by literature."

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