(KAIR)--Atchison's Benedictine College has named its 2024 Distinguished Educator of the Year.

That happened last week, on Wednesday evening during the college's Honors Convocation, with a release saying the honor was bestowed on Dr. Christi Adams, Associate Professor and Chair of Benedictine- Education Department.

The award, which the release calls "the highest honor a faculty member at the college can receive," has been given for more than 30 years, with students, faculty and staff of the college making the nominations for the distinction.

Adams, in the release, says "there is no better community in which to work, and no better group of students to serve each day,” adding that she found her purpose and vocation at the college as a student, and, for the past ten years, Adams has, in her words, "been blessed to train educators and school leaders in a community of faith and scholarship and thus contribute to the Benedictine College vision of transforming culture in America.”

Adams, according to the release, graduated from Benedictine College in 2004 with a Bachelor- Degree in Elementary Education, going on to earn a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Emporia State University and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas.
Before coming to Benedictine 10 years ago, Adams worked in the Leavenworth school district as a first-grade teacher, K-8 virtual education teacher, and virtual education administrator.

The release notes that "although nominations are anonymous, one faculty member said in the submission, “Dr. Adams is a fair and effective teacher who dedicates time and energy to be an example in the Education Department to upcoming teachers. She sets high expectations for herself and the students," while another calls Adams "kind, real, and has a loving attitude to all she encounters.”