UMO assistant professor wins Best of the Boot

MOUNT OLIVE – Mount Olive University Assistant Professor of Biology Sharon Jackson got the boot. Best of the Boot that is!

The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce and New Old North Media announced this year’s Best of the Boot winners last week in a variety of categories. Jackson received accolades as Best of the Boot Professor at the University of Mount Olive.

Mount Olive native Jackson began her teaching career at UMO in January 2011. “I enjoy the small hometown feeling of Mount Olive. I like to welcome students not only to UMO, but also to ‘Pickle Town’ as our students often refer to Mount Olive. Both the town and the university are small communities where you get to know everyone, and you are allowed to be a part of their journey, if only for a little while,” Jackson said.

Jackson said the most enjoyable aspect of teaching for her is engaging with the students in the classroom, and learning where they are coming from and helping them progress to the goals they have set for themselves.

“I am honored to be recognized, along with everyone on the list.  It has meant that each of us have touch the lives of our students in a positive manner, both in and out of the classroom,” Jackson said.

In addition to Jackson, UMO Assistant Professor of Education Gail Herring earned second place, UMO Dean of the Tillman School of Business Dr. Kathy Best secured the third place position, and Assistant Professor of Music Jonathan Saeger was named honorable mention.

In its second year of existence, Best of the Boot received more than 16,000 unique voter-cast ballots, more than doubling last year’s competition. “Honoring the incredible community – and the people who make it second to none – will never get old,” said Editor Ken Fine.

The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University is sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.moc.edu.