News Release
July 2006
Bethlehem, Pa., July 17, 2006—Dr. Francis P. Ryan, professor of History at Moravian
College, Bethlehem, Pa., and Dr. Francis J. Ryan, professor in the American Studies Program
at LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa., happily share more than a familial tie as father
and son—coincidentally they also experience the honors of being selected as distinguished
teachers by their respective institutions of learning.
The Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching is
presented annually in recognition of outstanding performance by the candidate. Nominees
are selected by all members of the senior class, and all full-time faculty and administrators
for the following standards: excellence in teaching and how much and how well students
learn in the process; scholarship and professional development, knowledge of subject
matter, alertness to new developments, contributions to the profession, research, publication,
exhibitions, performance etc.; relationship to students and the quality of interaction
with students; and one or more of the following: extracurricular contributions on campus;
advising student organizations; and contributions beyond the College. At Moravian College
the final selection is made by a committee composed of the three most recent Lindback
Award recipients. LaSalle employs a similar selection process.
Francis P. Ryan received the Lindback Foundation Award in May, 2006
at Moravian College. He
earned his Ph.D. in history at the University of Pennsylvania in 2003, his M.A. in history,
summa cum laude from Villanova University in 1995, and in 1993 a B.A. in history, magna
cum laude from LaSalle University. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors
and has authored significant publications and presentations during his academic career.
Ryan’s teaching experiences include Moravian College, the University of Pennsylvania,
LaSalle University, and the Comey Institute of Industrial Relations.
Francis J. Ryan was the recipient of the Lindback Foundation Award
in 2000 for distinguished teaching at LaSalle University. He earned his Ed.D.
at Temple University in 1985, an M.A. in History-Education at Villanova University
in 1977, an M.A. in English in 1972 from Temple University, and his B.A. degree in
1969 from LaSalle University. His professional career has garnered numerous prizes
and awards, and his academic experience spans teaching high school to the graduate
level. Ryan has authored an impressive list of articles, a book, conference presentations
and lectures. He also has made media appearances, and is involved in a host of activities
and organizations both professionally and personally.
The elder Francis Ryan quips that his son is a better teacher than
he. “I took
me a dozen years to win a Lindback, while son did it in just two at Moravian.”
Moravian College is a private, coeducational, selective liberal arts
college located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Tracing its founding to 1742, it
is recognized as America's sixth-oldest college. Visit the Web site at www.moravian.edu
