Ken Machande, acting dean and associate professor in the College of Business at the University of Mary Washington, has been recognized with the J. Christopher Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award for his contributions to the University as well as his involvement and leadership in the community. The award was presented at the University’s opening faculty meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
“He has put his heart and soul into UMW,” said Teresa Coffman, chair of the University Committee on Sabbaticals, Fellowships, and Faculty Awards, who presented the annual honor.
Machande has been a member of the UMW faculty since 2000. Before accepting his new role, he served as associate dean in the College of Business.
“Ken always goes above and beyond for UMW,” said Associate Professor of Accounting Dave Henderson. “He has taught overloaded classes without extra pay, tutored accounting students who are not in his class, and has recently taken on the role of interim dean of the College of Business. His commitment to UMW and to the students makes him the perfect choice for the Topher Bill Award.”
Machande is “the most ‘can-do’ person we know at UMW,” according to a faculty member who nominated him for the award. “He is the first to volunteer when something needs to be done in the College of Business. Ken rarely says ‘no’ when asked to serve.”
While serving as associate dean, Machande taught multiple classes and supervised more than 200 student internships and numerous independent studies courses. He is recipient of the 2007 Mary W. Pinschmidt Award selected by the graduating class as the faculty member “whom they will most likely remember as the one who had the greatest impact on their lives.”
A certified public accountant, Machande is a sought after nonprofit board member, according to one faculty member. Since 2011, he has served as treasurer and board member of the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter and has been treasurer of the Serenity Home board of directors since 2012. He also served as treasurer of the Friends of the Rappahannock executive committee for eight years.
Machande earned an M.B.A. from Albany State University, a B.L.S. from UMW and an associate degree from the University of Maryland.
The Topher Bill Award was established through an endowment provided by former students, colleagues, friends and family of the late Christopher Bill, a member of the UMW faculty for nearly 30 years. He died in 2001.The selection criteria for the award stipulates that the recipient must have served a minimum of seven years as a member of the Mary Washington teaching faculty and must have been heavily and consistently involved in a variety of service capacities, including departmental, university-wide and community service. Nominations may be submitted by any member of the teaching faculty, staff or student body of the university.
