News

By Merritt Jenkins

Dr. Alexander Steffanell, associate professor of Spanish, has been named the recipient of Lee University’s 2021 Excellence in Scholarship Award.

The winner of this award is chosen each year by the Faculty Scholarship and Research Committee. Lee President Dr. Mark Walker officially recognized Steffanell for this award during spring commencement.

“Dr. Steffanell is one of Lee’s most dedicated faculty members, and he is a valuable part of the Lee family,” said Walker. “His scholarly work is well deserving of this honor.”

Born in Colombia, South America, Steffanell joined Lee’s Department of Language and Literature in 2007. He has directed several cross-cultural trips and is the director of the Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Latin American and Iberian studies, where college students from several universities present their academic research and work.

Besides teaching lower, intermediate, and advanced level courses, Steffanell has successfully published two books and an array of essays and articles on various topics. His research interests include women’s convent writing, Latin American literature and culture, foreign language and intercultural competence, faith-oriented pedagogy, and literary criticism in the Spanish speaking world.

Steffanell also serves as board member to a variety of colleges, universities, and seminaries in Latin America; peer reviewer and editor for academic journals; and international guest lecturer for doctoral programs in education and foreign languages in Latin America. Recently he was appointed to serve as a board member of the newly academic project in progress, Center of Mayan Studies at the SEBIPCA, the Church of Go d Seminary in Guatemala.

In 2018, Steffanell received the Janet Rahamut Award, given to the professor whose life is focused on developing and helping students outside of the classroom.

“I am honored to receive the Excellence in Scholarship award,” said Steffanell. “My students played a big role in my receiving this award, because they are my inspiration and dedication. Due to their excellence and care, I am a better human being and teacher. I dedicate this award to my family, my church, and above all, God who is the source of my inspiration.”

The Excellence in Scholarship Award is one of three faculty excellence awards recognizing teaching, scholarship, and advising. They are considered the highest honors bestowed on Lee faculty each year.