Two Indiana school teachers and an Illinois high school counselor have been recognized by Rose-Hulman for their contributions toward inspiring their students to become future leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Recognized at Rose-Hulman’s Honors and Awards Ceremony this spring were:

• Renee Bowman, an elementary school teacher and librarian at South Elementary School (Danville, Indiana), with the Samuel F. Hulbert Outstanding Teacher Award
• Tracy Mis of the Hammond Academy of Science and Technology (Hammond, Indiana), as the Outstanding Mentor Award winner
• Lisa Micele, director of college counseling and head of counseling at the University of Illinois Laboratory High School (Urbana, Illinois), with the Charles G. Howard Outstanding Counselor Award

Bowman has been credited with contributing to the improvement of the school’s reading test scores and library book check-out rates. She also has embraced the most challenging students and given them the confidence needed to reach their potential.

One of those students is Cassie Utley, a current Rose-Hulman mechanical engineering student. “Mrs. Bowman sparked my passion for learning and exploring,” she stated in nominating Bowman for the award. Utley’s admiration grew after working alongside Bowman as a teacher’s assistant. “(Bowman) is amazing. Working with her when I was older showed me just how great of a person and role model she is,” says the former student.

South Elementary School Principal Tina Noe states, “In my 17 years as an administrator, (Bowman) is, hands down, one of the all-time best educators I’ve worked with.”

Bowman was named her school’s Teacher of the Year in 2015-16.

Mis has been a science and mathematics educator for the past 20 years at Hammond Academy for Science and Technology. She has coached students to excel in the Science Olympiad and Destination Imagination academic competitions. Mis gets credit from former students for caring, inspiring and supporting them, building their self-confidence, and instilling a love of learning.

One former student states, “(Mis) is that teacher that I believe every student should encounter at least once in their academic lifetime.”

Micele has helped students achieve their college and career goals for more than 20 years. She has found creative ways to increase student participation in college visits and recognizes students’ needs and abilities in order to recommend the best path for higher education. Micele also oversees University of Illinois Laboratory High School’s peer college counseling program, and received the University of Illinois Chancellor’s Academic Professional for Excellence Award in 2000, along with being named the school’s Teacher of the Year in 1995. She also has been recognized by the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling and is a member of the national organization for college admissions counselors.

Hulbert was a pioneering biomedical engineering professor and scholar who served as Rose-Hulman president for 28 years, while Howard was vice president and dean of admissions during a 37-year career at the institute.