MILWAUKEE — Kurt Gering, instructor of practice in the College of Business Administration at Marquette University, is the recipient of a 2021 John P. Raynor, S.J. Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.

Marquette’s Teaching Excellence Awards are the highest honor bestowed upon university faculty members. Recipients are nominated by colleagues and students for demonstrating excellence as teacher-scholars. The awards are supported by grants from the Robert and Mary Gettel Fund, the Stearns Foundation, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence G. Haggerty.

“I am so honored to be recognized with the Teaching Excellence Award,” Gering said. “In truth, though, much of the credit for this award goes to my colleagues. I have learned so much from each of them these past five years. So, while my name may be on the award, it is really scaffolded with my learnings of the many great things all our faculty do every day.”

Gering is revered for his teaching style that promotes engagement and inspires learning that never stops.

“Much like life,” Gering said, “teaching is also a journey of continuous discernment and the word that most accurately summarizes my teaching philosophy now is engagement. Course engagement, student engagement, corporate engagement, community engagement and social engagement. All of which are carefully braided together to ensure a meaningful student-learning experience. Ultimately, I see my role as one that is enacted both in and beyond the classroom, facilitating a student’s entire journey at Marquette in becoming a problem-solver and agent for change in a complex and changing world. In the spirit of St. Ignatius and Jacques Marquette, my aim is that students are ready in every way ‘to go and set the world on fire.’”

What also sets Gering apart is the way in which he incorporates “experiential learning” in the classroom. One of his students said he appreciates how Gering is always able to find a unique way to lecture for the first half of the class, and end with engaging, interactive activities. The student added that this process allows students to be active learners and remember content long after the course concludes.

In addition, Gering invites guest lecturers from the business world to speak to his students on a personal level, share their experiences in the industry, offer advice and more.

One of the many people who nominated Gering for the award wrote, “Professor Gering pushes his students to strive for excellence. Not only does he genuinely care for his students inside the classroom, but he also makes an effort to get to know his students on a personal level outside of the classroom.”

The nominator fondly remembers the time Gering, over a Microsoft Teams call, influenced their family member to pursue a master’s degree through Marquette’s Graduate School of Management.

“That’s just the power he holds,” she added.

Another nominator tells the story of how Gering made her feel included when she was sick in bed and could not attend a class guest lecture during which Ian’s Pizza was also being served.

“Incredibly, Professor Gering packaged up a few slices and had one of the Marquette LIMO drivers drop it off at my sorority house,” the nominator wrote. “And he even remembered the ranch dressing!”

Gering said his decision to teach full time was a gift from God that allowed him to impact the lives of others in ways her never imagined.

“All aspects of life, the joyful and the challenging, contain opportunities for growth and learning,” Gering said. “That’s the message I want to convey to my students through my teachings.”

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About Shelby Williamson

Shelby is a senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Shelby at (414) 288-6712 or shelby.williamson@marquette.edu