Faculty from 20 private colleges were recognized this week at an awards dinner for their dedication to teaching by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Celeste McMaster, associate professor of English, is Charleston Southern’s Excellence in Teaching winner. Each recipient is chosen by his or her institution according to rigorous criteria and receives a $3,000 professional development grant from SCICU.

“When I hear a student refer to a professor using terms such as enthusiasm, knowledgeable, respectful and praising the small class relationships they are able to build upon, I know we have an excellent professor in the classroom,” Dr. Jackie Fish, vice president for academic affairs. “To see students who choose to major in English because of their classroom interactions with a faculty member is an amazing confirmation of Dr. McMaster’s success in teaching.”

McMaster has taught at CSU since 2009. She earned her PhD from the University of South Carolina, her MA from East Carolina University and her BA from University of Arkansas in Little Rock. Her main areas of interest include 19th and 20th century British literature, Victorian, romantic and contemporary literature and creative writing.

She is a faculty advisor to Sefer, CSU’s student literary magazine, and is active on faculty committees and in the community.

The award ceremony is part of South Carolina Independent College and University Week April 13-17, which is recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Nikki Haley.