Limestone's Dr. Jane Watkins Receives Excellence In Teaching Award

Limestone College Professor Dr. Jane G. Watkins is the recipient of a 2019 Excellence in Teaching Award from the South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (SCICU).

Each year, the SCICU recognizes and celebrates the best of the best with its Excellence in Teaching Awards. A faculty member from each of SCICU’s 20 member institutions is nominated for the award, which includes rigorous guidelines. The annual award recipients are honored at a banquet each spring and are each awarded a $3,000 professional development grant.

This is the 14th year that the SCICU has honored leading faculty members at its member schools. The group of teacher-scholars represents many different academic disciplines and brings a rich diversity of education, experience, and interests to South Carolina campuses.

Watkins, a native of Gaffney, has been on the Limestone faculty since 2005 and currently serves as Professor of Computer Science. Watkins was the first-ever computer science graduate at Limestone.

Her graduate degrees earned at Clemson University include a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Computer Science and an M.S. in Computer Science. She also earned an M.A. in Teaching Mathematics from Winthrop University.

“This is such a wonderful honor,” Watkins said after receiving the award on April 9 in Columbia. “I am fortunate to be a part of such a fine group of faculty members at Limestone, and I truly enjoy interacting with our dedicated and talented students.”

With over 30 years of teaching experience, Watkins leads a wide variety of Computer Science courses at Limestone, ranging from Introductory Survey courses to the Capstone Project course. She develops and teaches courses at the College’s Day Campus and through its Online & Evening Programs.

Watkins is a three-time recipient of the Fullerton Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award. Her recent committee work at Limestone includes the Online Course Quality Committee, the Global Experience Committee, and serving as chair of the Faculty Development Committee. Watkins is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Gaffney.

“Jane is the kind of faculty member every administrator admires,” said Limestone Provost Dr. Karen Gainey. “She sets high standards for students, she supports and encourages her students to meet those standards, she is always willing to go the extra mile for her students, colleagues, and the institution, and she is a wonderful role model for other faculty members.”

An official with the SCICU noted that this year’s award winners are “dedicated and committed professionals who work long and hard to be the best in their particular academic disciple in order to instruct and guide future generations as their life’s work. These professionals are value-centered, passionate, creative, and caring.”