Dr. Sean Ahern, associate professor of communication arts, received the State Nebraska Bank & Trust Teaching Excellence Award at the Spring 2025 undergraduate commencement ceremony May 10.
Wayne State College is proud to announce that Dr. Sean X. Ahern, associate professor of communication arts, was presented the State Nebraska Bank & Trust Teaching Excellence Award at the college’s May 10 baccalaureate commencement ceremony.
Ahern has taught at Wayne State since 2020; he also serves as advisor to KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat, the campus radio station.
Matthew Ley, chief executive officer and trust officer of State Nebraska Bank & Trust in Wayne, presented the award during the undergraduate ceremony. This prestigious honor recognizes rigorous standards that require a superior level of effective teaching. David Ley, the bank’s chairman of the board, established the award in 1998 as a way of recognizing and strengthening outstanding teaching at Wayne State College.
State Nebraska Bank & Trust has served the Wayne community for more than 130 years and supports the college in many ways, including numerous scholarships, capital investments, employment of students, and service on the Wayne State Foundation Board of Trustees.
“I am grateful and humbled as the recipient of the State Nebraska Bank & Trust Teaching Excellence Award and Nebraska State College Teaching Excellence Award,” said Ahern. “Coming to Wayne in the fall of 2020 was a risk, but one that has rewarded me with life-changing experiences, honed my pedagogy, and reinvigorated my love of teaching in mass communications. To quote The Clash, ‘go easy, step lightly, stay free.’”
Ahern’s commitment to his students and teaching is reflected each year by the numerous nominations and awards his students receive for Golden Leaf Awards and Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Student Media Awards. Additionally, for its participation in World College Radio Day on Oct. 4, 2024, KWSC-FM 91.9 The Cat received a 2024 Spirit of College Radio Award from the College Radio Foundation – making it one of only 10 college radio stations in the world to get the award in 2024.
In March, Ahern received the Nebraska State College System Teaching Excellence Award. After being selected as the college-level Teaching Excellence Award recipient, a nominee from each of the three Nebraska state colleges is submitted for consideration. The award recognizes superior teaching and advising, innovative instructional practices, high educational standards, and engaging learning environments that inspire and motivate students.
Ahern earned his bachelor of arts degree in Communication Studies from Colby-Sawyer College, his master of arts degree in Popular Culture from Bowling Green State University, and his Ph.D. in American Studies from the University at Buffalo (State University of New York system).