The DaVinci Institute, Oklahoma's Creativity Think Tank, recently named a University of Central Oklahoma associate professor as a DaVinci Fellow. Additionally, two Central students were named DaVinci Scholars.
Lindsey Churchill, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts at UCO, was named a 2020 DaVinci Fellow.
The award recognizes higher-education faculty whose creative, innovative accomplishments have made a significant contribution to their academic disciplines.
Churchill is recognized for her accomplishments in creating and directing the UCO Women's Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center. As a recipient, she will receive a $1,000 grant to apply toward a creative project of her choosing.
Churchill began her career at Central in 2012 and currently serves in the Department of History and Geography at Central. She is also the creator and director of the women's, gender and sexuality studies minor. In 2015, she worked with the Central community to create the Center, which includes the Women's Research Center and the BGLTQ+ Student Center.
Dawn McRoberts, from Yukon, Oklahoma, earned the recognition of a 2020 DaVinci Scholar and a $1,000 grant for her project proposal to create a school garden. Through the project, children will be able to learn where their food comes from, as well as sample fruits and vegetables harvested from it.
McRoberts graduated from Central in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She currently teaches first grade at Mustang Valley Elementary School.
Christina Sundly, a senior elementary education major from Choctaw, Oklahoma, earned the recognition of a 2021 DaVinci Scholar and a $1,000 grant for her project proposal that will provide a schoolwide family STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) night.
"We are excited to recognize these exemplary individuals for their contributions to education in Oklahoma, and we always take this opportunity to reflect on how innovative and passionate Oklahoma educators are in helping students succeed as creative and contributing students and citizens," said Jeff King, Ed.D., DaVinci Board executive committee member.
The DaVinci Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing the arts, sciences, humanities and education in Oklahoma. They recognize the contribution and potential of higher education faculty members, promising pre-service teachers and in-service teachers.
For more information about the DaVinci Institute, visit www.davinciok.org.
For more information about Central, visit www.uco.edu.