The H.A. Pfohl Awards were established by the children of a longtime Salem Academy and College trustee H.A. Pfohl and are given each year in two categories: to a senior student who exemplifies strong campus citizenship, moral character, loyalty, and effective service to the college and to a faculty member who has demonstrated sound service, loyalty, moral character, and effective teaching. These awards are considered among the most prestigious at Salem College.
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This year’s H.A. Pfohl student award recipient was Ashleigh Olivia Nelson C’20. President Doran stated, when announcing the award, that Ashleigh “has been described as a kind person who notices what is taking place among her peers and finds ways to support and include those who are experiencing challenging times. She is well respected by others on campus. Her compassion, positive energy, kind heart, and desire to make the world a better place, truly set her apart as an exceptional young woman. She is also recognized as one of Salem’s key leaders on campus: bright, highly organized, detail-oriented, compassionate, energetic, and able to relate to a diverse group of individuals. She has been described as possessing skills that are greatly needed in our diverse society and her leadership in areas of diversity and inclusion is exceptional. Ashleigh served on the Council for Diversity and Inclusion. She also joined the Anna Maria Samuel Project: Race, Remembrance, and Reconciliation this year. She has been described as having an important voice in discovering how this vital history connects with our campus and with our students.”
The 2020 H.A. Pfohl Faculty Award winner was Daniel Prosterman, Associate Professor of History and Race and Ethnicity Studies Coordinator. Professor Prosterman has been a dedicated educator and scholar at Salem College for more than 10 years. President Doran described him by saying: “In addition to advising many students academically and sponsoring many internships, this professor also mentors students through independent research projects and their graduate school applications. One student leader described Professor Prosterman as ‘a caring, thoughtful, and understanding professor and advisor… He prepares us for the future.’ He has taught not just department courses in history and political science, but also a variety of interdisciplinary courses serving the Race and Ethnicity Studies Program, the Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies Program, the Environmental Studies Program, the Honors Program and the Salem Impact Core Curriculum. He serves the College diligently through such services as the directorship of the Race and Ethnicity Studies Program, the Salem Impact Core Curriculum, and membership on the Fiscal Affairs Committee. He is the author of the well-received book Defining Democracy: Electoral Reform and the Struggle for Power in New York City. He is also co-author of the popular Citizen Baby picture book series, which teaches children about political and civic engagement.”
