Nursing prof. honored for teaching excellence

The UNC Board of Governors has chosen Dennis Sherrod, nursing professor and Forsyth Medical Center endowed chair of recruitment and retention, to receive this year's Excellence of Teaching award.

Sherrod will receive a bronze medallion and $7,500 at the University's commencement ceremony.

He was nominated by Kineka Hull, the director of academic services in the School of Health Sciences. 

"When I heard that she nominated me I felt good. I was honored," Sherrod said.

Sherrod said the best part of the nomination was being asked to obtain letters from people he has worked with. 

He said he reached out to students who graduated and within a week he had received 20 letters. 

"Reading those letters was the most wonderful part. You get a chance to see how people felt about what you have done for them," he said.

"I've always found that it's wonderful to do great work with great people. I find those wherever I go."

Sherrod said his award isn't a chance to proclaim himself as a "master teacher" but the opportunity to share what he does with the people he works with.

The annual awards are given to 17 tenured faculty members to represent each UNC institution after being nominated by committees on their campuses. 

Sherrod came to Winston-Salem State in 2001 as the first endowed chair of recruitment and retention. Forsyth Medical Center funded the position to oversee the nursing workforce in Winston-Salem and the region. 

Jacques Jean, a family nurse practitioner graduate student from Concord, N.C. said, "It doesn't surprise me one bit that he [Sherrod] would receive an award like this.

"He is very knowledgeable in his field and he's well liked by his colleagues and students."

Sherrod said there is nothing in life that is easy. However, he said having mentors to help guide him removed some of his barriers to success."I had mentors along the way and I want to give back," he said.

Sherrod said he loves teaching. He said it's not only sharing what you know but relating to students as well. 

"One thing I love about my students is once they graduate, I don't ever lose them," he said.

Sherrod said he will give some of his prize money to the School of Health Sciences alumni and friends tribute wall. He said he is also thinking about investing in some technology for his online courses.