Four faculty members have been named finalists for the 2025 George Wythe Award for Excellence in Teaching at Buena Vista University.
According to a news release from BVU, the finalists are…
• Dr. Jessy Bibler, Assistant Professor of Physical Education
• Ms. Jennifer Hecht, Associate Professor of Accounting
• Ms. Marian Riner, Program Director and Assistant Professor of Social Work
• Dr. Sarah Schlichte, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
Bibler, a dedicated alum of Buena Vista University, has been a committed faculty member for eight years, serving undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students through on-campus and online programs. She has held diverse roles on campus, contributing to academic instruction, student mentorship, program leadership, and community engagement. Bibler has established strong partnerships with local schools, fostering student connections supporting academic learning and coaching development. Additionally, Bibler has nurtured a long-standing collaboration with Special Olympics of Iowa, building inclusion across campus and advocating for students of all abilities.
Hecht, who holds CPA, CMA, CLU, and ChFC designations, is in her ninth year at BVU. Before BVU, she worked at Deere & Co. for 13 years in various roles in Accounting & Finance and at Northwestern Mutual for six years as a financial advisor. Her experience at a global Fortune 100 company provides many real-world examples to use in the classroom. A 2019 McCorkle Fellow, Hecht returned with students the following year to Madagascar, exploring the biodiversity of the island, learning about the Malagasy culture, and participating in the different programs at the Center ValBio. Hecht grew up in Storm Lake and works to connect students to the local community through organizations such as BV Buddies, Storm Lake Rotary, and the Storm Lake United Methodist Church Youth Group.
Riner, in her sixth year at BVU, has 24 years of experience in social work. In her role, she supports undergraduate students both on campus in Storm Lake and through online programs. In March 2021, she worked with the University’s Student Association of Social Workers to develop, build, and open Jane’s Closet in Swope Hall. Jane’s Closet has helped hundreds of individuals and recently began serving Buena Vista County Head Start and Storm Lake Community School District in addition to children in the foster care system. Riner was awarded Faculty Member of the Year for 2021-22.
Schlichte, a 2017 graduate of BVU, is in her fourth year at BVU. As an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Science, she takes great joy and pride in enlightening students about the wonders of human anatomy and physiology through interactive lectures and activities such as the cadaver lab. She is dedicated to working with students inside and outside of the classroom to help them learn the fundamental concepts of the human body and to help them develop and enhance their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. She further enhances the student experience through her role in helping to plan, organize, and promote the Undergraduate Rural Medicine Education and Development (URMED) and Rural Health Fellowship (RHF) programs to foster and encourage transformational educational experiences in rural healthcare.
Dr. Gail Hartsock, Associate Professor of Mathematics, chairs the 2025 Wythe Award Selection Committee. Hartsock is joined by: Beth Blankers, Professor of Accounting and Assistant Dean, Harold Walter Siebens School of Business; Dr. Lucas DeWitt, Associate Professor of Education; Dr. Annamaria Formichella, Professor of English; and Dr. Tyler Jones, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences.
The recipient of the George Wythe Award, which was endowed by the late Paul and Vivian McCorkle ’59, receives a sabbatical and a $30,000 stipend for faculty development. The winner will be announced at BVU’s Annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration in May.
