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MCC theater instructor wins Budig award
When Sue Watts came to McCook Community College in 1989 to start a theater program she planned to stay for two years, build her resume, then move on according to a career path master plan. But two years later when it came time to move on, she just couldn't; the level of job-satisfaction wasn't something she could leave.
"I liked the job, I liked the people, I liked the town and I liked the land -- you just have to love the land here," she said. She has made a home and a career at McCook.
At Friday's MCC Commencement, Watts was named the 2008-09 winner of the Dr. Gene A. Budig Outstanding Faculty Award at MCC. Budig, an MCC graduate, provides a $1,000 award each year to recognize and honor outstanding educators.
"Sue Watts is a "natural" in her on-going endeavor to educate not only the mind, but the heart and the soul of each student she comes in contact with," said one of the letters of nomination.
One former colleague called Watts "an inspirational teacher who is a patient, caring mentor to new faculty members."
"Through her teaching, her academic commitment and her community service, she has made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of students, faculty and community members," wrote a former colleague.
"I am thrilled, flattered, pleased, and very surprised to win this award," Watts said.
She is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, NCTE, NEA, NSEA/MPCCEA, Delta Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Kappa. She was named to: Who's Who in America 2008-2009; Who's Who in American Women 2008-09; Who's Who in American Teachers 2008-09. Earlier this year, she was appointed to a three-year term on the Nebraska Humanities Foundation and she was elected Secretary of the Red Willow County Democratic Party.
Watts directed the MCC production of "A Christmas Carol," "Story Theater," led a directing class for students in "Director's Showcase" and coordinated MCC's Valentine's Day program "Collage of Love II." She helped raise funds for the Fox Theatre renovation through the Town & Gown initiative including the University of Nebraska-Kearney Carl Sandburg Project. In the past year, she presented "Leadership Styles" for Leadership McCook and a presentation for the University-Nebraska Kearney Adolescent Literature Class.
She also started a new theater history class, developed opportunities for students in Introduction to Theatre to get credit for hands-on work on the plays and changed speech critique form to be more specific and student friendly.
In 1989, Sue's first office was in a closet between the band and choir room. Today, the Weeth Theater has become a showcase for MCC's Theater Program. In the past year, almost a quarter of MCC's students (109) enrolled in at least one theater class.
Watts believes that teaching theater is a great way to connect with the changing demographics of today's students.
"Theater is the way we transmit culture from generation to generation."
Watts presents the play "Medea" in her Introduction to Theater and through her students she knows that the themes are as relevant as they were 2,500 years ago when it was written; the play deals with a woman whose husband leaves her for a younger, prettier woman.
She knows that today's students identify with pertinent themes in theater and literature just as much as they ever have, but the challenge is in identifying where and how those themes are emerging. After reading the highly popular "Twilight" series, Watts recognized why younger readers were attracted the themes in the story. In March, she developed a guest lecture for the UNK Adolescent Literature Class called, "The Changing Image of Vampires in Film and Television."
While themes and the delivery of those themes have change over the years, Watts believes that today's students are not much different than the students who took her classes 20 years ago.
"Students today are still coming to college for pretty much the same reasons they did 20 years ago," Watts said, noting that the non-traditional students are still trying to improve their lives and the traditional students are looking to either gain the job skills to get a job and work right away or get the skills to go on to a four-year school.
"Most students are pretty sincere about their education and that's what keeps me here."
She said her goal as an educator is provide students with all the best possible skills so that when then leave MCC they can make a living.
"When you support yourself, it does a whole lot for self-confidence and that's why I think speech is an incredibly important part of that equation."
She said for those who don't see the value of speech, she points out that basic speech skills can help anyone do things like: job interview skills; approach their boss for a raise; speaking to a school board about an important issue or even leading the prayer at church.
"I want our students to be well-prepared and have the confidence to compete for jobs and how you present yourself is a key factor," she said.
One of the biggest changes Watts has seen since arriving on the MCC campus has been the renovations of the Weeth Theater in Tipton Hall that provided for the black box theater.
"It has been wonderful. It's exactly what we needed. The students love it because the audience is so close and I love its flexibility," she said, extending credit for the design by Dr. Richard Tubbs and Jon Burkey.
Beyond her responsibilities in the classroom, Watts served on the following college committees for the past year: Graduation; Graduation Speaker Selection; Student Appeals; Town and Gown; Student Success and Retention; AQIP Facilities Scheduling; and AQIP Progress/Success.
She is also a member of the MCC Working on Wellness team and as part of that involvement decided to take a golf class.
"I remember going to the driving range with my father when I was young and I was always interested but never did anything about it -- until our Working on Wellness (WOW) team distributed a list of MCC classes that encouraged healthier lifestyles and golf was on the list so I signed up and I love it."
She is in her second year playing golf and plays in the Ladies Summer League when she's not teaching night speech class -- which starts again Monday.