Instructor recognized for teaching excellence speaks at December commencement

Tanya Keenan, a Mount Mary University instructor who excels at engaging students in core English composition classes, has been named the faculty commencement speaker for Mount Mary's winter graduation.

At the beginning of this semester, Keenan was also awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for 2016. Mount Mary awards Excellence in Teaching Awards every year to a full-time and a part-time faculty member. These faculty members show dedication and enthusiasm for helping students grow personally and academically, use innovative teaching techniques and have knowledge of research and trends in their specific academic fields.

Karen Friedlen, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, said, "She (Keenan) challenges students in ways that get them thinking more deeply about issues. She creates interest and life out of content that others may consider technical."

Keenan has been an adjunct instructor Mount Mary since September 2011. She currently teaches English composition classes, which are a requirement for all undergraduate students to take. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education with a concentration in English 9-12 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in humanities with a concentration in American studies from the University of Chicago. Her master thesis was on Whole Language versus Direct Instruction for Students of Color in K-12 Education.

"She (Keenan) is caring and loving toward everyone she touches," Friedlen said.

See coverage of Tanya Keenan in Wauwatosa Now and her plans for her commencement speech.

Winter Commencement
11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17
Alumnae Dining Room, Bergstrom Hall