Two Associate Faculty Members Recognized for Excellence in Teaching
Melissa Ray, adjunct instructor and staff accompanist, received the 2022 McKendree
University Associate Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. Dana Longmeyer, associate
faculty of nursing, was the recipient of the 2022 McKendree University Associate Graduate
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.
A resident of O’Fallon, Ill., Melissa teaches applied piano lessons and accompanies
the University’s Concert and Chamber Choirs and instrumental students for their performances.
A member of the music department since 2014, Melissa performs in all choir performances
both on and off campus, including on tour with the choirs when they performed in St.
Louis, Chicago and Kansas City.
“She is an excellent piano instructor, preparing the music education students for
their piano proficiency exams and working with non-majors as well. In addition, she
coaches the students and helps them perform at the highest of their ability,” said
Dr. Nancy Ypma, chair of the Division of Visual and Performing Arts and professor
of music at McKendree. “She stays on top of what is going on with each student, and her preparation for
rehearsals is meticulous. Her influence on our students and program has been enormous.”
Dana has been a valuable associate faculty member for the Division of Nursing since
2021. A resident of Greenfield, Ill., and a ful-time professor of nursing at Lewis
and Clark Community College, she primarily teaches in the MSN program, particularly in the area of population health. She has also practiced as a family
nurse practitioner for 21 years for the Nurse Managed Center at Lewis and Clark Community
College and is a member of the American Nurses Association and Illinois Rural Health
Association.
“Dr. Longmeyer is enthusiastic and supportive of our graduate students,” said Dr. Richelle Rennegarbe ’92, director of DNP programs, chair of the Division of Nursing, and professor of nursing
at McKendree. “She has been a valuable addition as an associate faculty member and
has brought her years of experience as a family nurse practitioner in the community
setting. Her students frequently comment about how wonderful of an instructor she
is and how she makes her classes an insightful and meaningful experience. She is most
deserving of this award.”
Melissa Ray
Adjunct Instructor and Staff Accompanist
Dana Longmeyer
Associate Faculty of Nursing
