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YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Young Harris College is proud to announce that YHC Professors Ted Whisenhunt, Alex Barnes, and Ben Van Dyke were recently recognized by the Appalachian College Association (ACA).

Professor of Art Mr. Ted Whisenhunt has been awarded an ACA Faculty Fellowship for summer 2023 to conduct research on the graphical representation of rivers in our region and the conceptualization of place. This research will feed into his fall 2023 sabbatical, during which he will assemble his program portfolio and complete his second MFA degree, this one in graphic design.

Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics Dr. Alex Barnes has been awarded an ACA Faculty Fellowship for spring 2023 to expand his awareness and understanding of scholarship in teaching and learning (SOTL) and participate in an eight-week online seminar on alternative grading.

Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Ben Van Dyke has been selected to serve as a faculty member in the Teaching & Learning Track of the 2023 ACA Teaching, Learning, & Leadership Institute, which will take place in June on the Maryville College campus.

“We are all exceptionally proud of Ted, Alex, and Ben and of the work they have carried out to earn these recognitions,” said YHC Provost Dr. Jason Pierce. “Their commitment to improving and enhancing the learning experience for YHC’s students is shared by the entire Young Harris faculty, and we are both honored and fortunate to count them as colleagues.”

The Appalachian College Association is a consortium of independent colleges and universities in central Appalachia. Since 1990, this organization has served the Appalachian region through its support of faculty, staff, and students of its member institutions. Together, members of this consortium can do more than they could otherwise do alone. The ACA provides faculty research fellowships, student research funding, faculty and staff professional development, an online Center for Teaching and Learning, an online library, and digital archives. YHC was approved for ACA membership in May of 2022.

YHC congratulates these three professors on this honorable recognition and looks forward to seeing the works they construct as a result of these opportunities.

About Young Harris College

Young Harris College is a private baccalaureate and master’s degree-granting institution located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires, and empowers students through an education that purposefully integrates the liberal arts and professional studies. The College has four academic divisions: Fine Arts; Humanities; Mathematics, Science, and Technology; and Professional Studies. Approximately 1,400 students are enrolled in its undergraduate, Early College, and MAT programs. The College is an active member of the NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor. For more information, visit yhc.edu.

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