Stoutonia

Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: News

Molly Welch-Deal , an associate lecturer in the psychology department at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, has received her second major award in less than two short years.

The Mary Gehrke-Mcalister leadership award was presented to Welch-Deal on Feb. 21, 2008. The award exclusively recognizes a selection of people who possess and execute strong leadership skills in the profession of school counseling. The award is only presented to one individual each year at the Wisconsin School Counselors Association conference.

Welch-Deal was nominated by a group of grad students for the award. She was also supported through a letter of recommendation written by Josh Robinson, vice principal of Osceola High School where Welch-Deal was employed before moving to UW-Stout.

The grad students are highly supportive of Welch-Deal and her efforts in teaching counseling. “She motivates students by getting them excited for their profession. I would like to someday make the kind of impact she has and is continuing to have on others,” says grad student and nominator Daren Patterson.

Welch-Deal will soon be moving into her fourth year teaching at UW-Stout this summer; not only is she a professor, but she is also a UW-Stout alumnus. She earned a Master of Science in K-12 school counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in sociology.

She began her career as a guidance counselor at Osceola High School. When the opportunity arose to return to UW-Stout and teach, Welch-Deal immediately took the offer. Since then, she has made a positive impact on hundreds of students in the school counseling program.

“She has a genuine glow about her and her personality is one that she honestly cares about the well-being of others. She is not so much a professor but a servant. She serves to each student’s needs,” says Patterson.
Not only does Welch-Deal teach graduate and undergraduate courses at UW-Stout, she additionally works as a mental health consultant for Head Start through CESA 11.

Last year, Welch-Deal was awarded the title of the UW-Stout Outstanding Educator, yet another prestigious award granted to demonstrate her achieved status around campus. Her impact on students shines through her nomination for The Mary Gehrke-Mcalister Leadership Award.

“My opinion is that we need more Molly Welch-Deals around, for she has that unique ability to help individuals get on the right path. She is much like a quote I know, ‘Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.’ She is a star that shines brightly for all to see,” says Patterson.

For more information, contact Molly Welch-Deal at welchdealm@uwstout.edu (715) 232-5224; or Daren Patterson at pattersond@uwstout.edu (608) 358-3152

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