Dr. Shannon Jordan awarded David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award

Dr. Shannon Jordan, assistant professor of health and kinesiology, was presented the David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award at Lamar University on November 2, 2023 by LU President Dr. Jaime Taylor.

The David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award, established through a generous gift from Lamar University distinguished alumnus David J. Beck, recognizes faculty members who excel as teachers and bring significant honor to the university through innovative instructional pedagogy.

“What drives me is student success,” Jordan said. “Student success is not simply the grade earned in a class. Student success happens after graduation: obtaining employment in their field, embarking on a career and the resulting advancement, being accepted into a graduate program, graduating, and the career to follow.”

Dr. Jordan joined Lamar University as a visiting professor in 2014 and was named assistant professor in 2016. Throughout her career at Lamar University, she is heavily involved with the Office of Undergraduate Research, serves as co-advisor of the Lamar Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Club, and is a coach and mentor of The Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Quizbowl Team at LU.

Driven by student success, Dr. Jordan’s commitment to students extends beyond the classroom, often going above and beyond to ensure the academic success of her students.

“I tutor them outside of the classroom. I have even met students at work on their lunch breaks to study. I have gone to Baptist Hospital to sit bedside with hospitalized students to keep them from getting behind in class”, Jordan said. “I am happy to help them out because I am an educator at heart. Their success will be part of my legacy, along with the success of all my former, current and future students.”

Dr. Jordan also employs unconventional methods that ensure the success of all of her students.

“Sometimes students have potential but may not shine in the classroom and need to gain knowledge and skills outside of the classroom,” Dr. Jordan said. “I employ many opportunities in my lecture-based classes to boost learning of the lecture topics with hands-on applications. I also provide our students an opportunity to work in the lab with me on research. This allows for individualized learning. Students at any stage of their degree plan and any GPA are welcome to work in my lab.”

As the recipient of this prestigious award, Dr. Shannon Jordan will receive a one-time monetary award of $25,000. Additionally, she will retain the title of Beck Teaching Excellence Award recipient throughout her Lamar University academic career.