McPherson College announces the recipients of the 2025-26 Teaching Awards. The awards are presented at the annual Honors Convocation held during Homecoming. This year’s recipients are Professors Lara Schoming and Lindsey Godfrey.
Students and faculty submitted hundreds of nominations that identified more than 30 faculty for the awards. A committee of students and last year’s teaching award recipients reviewed the nominations and selected one tenured faculty member and one non-tenured faculty member to receive the awards.
This year’s non-tenured award recipient, Professor Lara Schoming, is an assistant professor of education. Despite being relatively new to McPherson College Professor Schoming has already made a tremendous impact on students.
Within the past year, she has brought a new level of energy and enthusiasm to the department and spearheaded a program that allows elementary education students to learn and apply their skills in a real-world classroom at Eisenhower Elementary School in McPherson.
In her nomination, students commented on her passion for education. One commentor said, “This teacher always comes to class with interactive lessons for students, so they get the most out of every single class.”
Lindsey Godfrey, associate professor of business, received the tenured faculty teaching award. She was nominated by students and colleagues for her commitment to learning and support of others around her. Student nominations included comments such as amazing professor and wonderful advisor.
“She is dedicated to her craft as an educator,” said one colleague. “Additionally, her ability to organize students’ activities and club events enhances the student experience by getting them outside the classroom with an opportunity to see the bigger picture.”