West Liberty University Professor Stephen Criniti named W.Va.’s Professor of the Year
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CHARLESTON, WV - West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Sarah Armstrong Tucker announced that Stephen F. Criniti, Ph.D., professor of English at West Liberty University, has been named the 2020 Professor of the Year.
"Thank you for naming me Professor of the Year," Criniti said. "I'm humbled that you've allowed me to be counted among the many excellent professors who have received or have been nominated for this honor. I am grateful to Dr. Sylvia Senften and Dr. Jeremy Larance for nominating me and to my department chair Dr. Angela Rehbein for always supporting my work. I also thank my wife Mary Beth, and my whole family, for always supporting me. This is a true honor."
"I congratulate Dr. Criniti on being selected West Virginia Professor of the Year. This is an exceptional honor, and it speaks volumes on the caliber of talent we have here at West Liberty University. The entire campus celebrates your success and achievement," added W. Franklin Evans, WLU president.
In addition to Dr. Criniti, the 2020 finalists included: Micheal Fultz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry at West Virginia State University; Dan Hollis, M.A., Professor of Broadcast Journalism at Marshall University; Dr. Julie Reneau, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Special Education at Fairmont State University; and, Michael Smith, Ph.D., Professor of English at Bluefield State College.
Criniti earned his bachelor's degree from Wheeling Jesuit University, his master's degree from the University of Dayton, and his doctoral degree in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Cincinnati. Criniti is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English.
Criniti was previously honored at WLU with the Faculty Excellence in Service Award in 2019-20 and the Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award in 2016-17. He also was named the Student Government’s choice for College of Liberal Arts Professor of the Year in 2018-19.
A resident of Wheeling, he and his wife Mary Beth are the parents of one son, Matthew, 14.