Cates Honored with Teaching Excellence Award
May 17, 2024
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
MOUNT OLIVE – Professor Brenda Cates has been named the recipient of the Dr. Thomas R. Morris Excellence in Teaching Award at the University of Mount Olive. The accolade is a testament to her outstanding contributions to mathematics education and her unwavering commitment to her students over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades. Cates was nominated by students and then selected by a faculty committee.
Cates joined the UMO faculty in 1982. She teaches a diverse range of courses including lower-level and upper-level mathematics, as well as elementary education math content and pedagogy courses. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in math education from North Carolina State University (2000), a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Mathematics from UNC-Chapel Hill (1982), and a Bachelor of Arts in Math Education from UNC-Chapel Hill (1981).
This marks the third time Cates has been honored as UMO Professor of the Year, a testament to her profound impact on the academic and personal growth of students. She is not only a remarkable educator, but also an active participant in the UMO community, attending athletic contests and other student extracurricular events and activities. She serves as NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative and is the UMO Honors Program Director. At one time, she was even the head women’s tennis coach. Her passion for teaching and her dedication to her students continue to inspire all who have the privilege of learning from her.
Cates is married to Tim Cates and is the proud mother of Samantha Pexa (and husband Brett) and Daniel Cates. Her pride and joy are her grandchildren Josie Pexa (2 years old) and Helen Pexa (1 year old).
Benefactor of the Morris Excellence in Teaching Award is the late Dr. Thomas R. Morris, a long-time friend and generous supporter of the University of Mount Olive. Dr. Morris was a native of the Nahunta area of Wayne County where he and his family were active members of Union Grove OFWB Church. With the vision of an education, he worked his way through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation from medical school, he was an optometrist and civic leader in Goldsboro until his retirement.
Q & A with Dr. Brenda Cates
- What does being the UMO Professor of the Year mean to you, especially having received the honor multiple times?
A. Being recognized by students for something I’ve loved doing that has positively impacted their lives is the greatest possible honor. It is hard to put into words the depth of appreciation I have for students who considered me for this honor. - What are your greatest strengths as an educator?
A. Students repeatedly report on evaluations, that I explain things very well. However, if I dig deep, I’d have to say one of my greatest strengths is the ability to make students feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I also set clear expectations for success. I encounter so many students who perceive themselves as failures when it comes to math, that convincing them that they can do it, takes a lot of reassurance and a lot of small successes before they feel some measure of confidence in the classroom. It’s a balancing act of encouragement, badgering, joking, productive struggle, and praise in getting students engaged who would often rather not try than risk failing.” - What do you enjoy most about teaching?
A. What I enjoy most about teaching are the day-to-day interactions I have with students, not just in the classroom, but also in the hallway, in my office, across campus, at games, and at other events. Teaching is not just about what we do in the classroom. Learning takes place everywhere, and every interaction we have with students is an opportunity to connect, relate, and engage. - How do you make connections with students?
A. I try to build a classroom environment based on mutual respect. First and foremost I try to be completely honest with students. I don’t sugarcoat problems, but I let them know I’m there to help. I’m also usually upbeat. I try to have some fun in the classroom and I don’t take myself too serious. People who are stuck on position and authority tend to really annoy me! - What do you like about working at UMO?
A. This is a hard question to answer since I have no basis for comparison, but I’d have to say what I’ve enjoyed most about my career at UMO is the opportunity to teach a variety of mathematics and math-related courses. Also, the students I’ve taught over the years, coupled with a high degree of flexibility and autonomy in developing and designing courses to meet the needs of our students are thing I enjoy about UMO. - What advice would you give to new educators?
A. There will be challenging days, but ultimately if you love what you do, it will be worth it. In this day of 24-7 communication, it is OK to give yourself permission to say ‘no’. You have to take care of yourself, and find a balance that works, or you and your students will suffer.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
