The winner of the 2020-2021 Polanowski Prize for Excellence in Faculty-Student Advising and Mentorship was announced March 26. The recipient of the award was Turnbull-Jamieson Chair and Professor of Finance and International Business Hossein Varamini. The award is intended to celebrate a faculty member’s excellence in advising and mentorship of students toward graduation and future careers.

The Polanowski Prize was created as a result of Dr. Mary E. Schmidt ’79 and Dr. Russell Libby to honor Dr. Frank P. Polanowski, Associate Professor of Biology Emeritus, due to “…his inspirational service to countless students at Elizabethtown College.” The Faculty Professional Development Committee and a group of current students work to choose the recipient based on nominations that are nominated by three of the following groups: current students, faculty, staff and alumni.

He said that he was honored to receive the award.

“…Being recognized for the Polanowski Award…was a special honor. I knew Frank [Polanowski], who was a caring and engaging faculty member here at Etown and I am grateful to receive this award in his recognition. The award is even more special because it is the result of nomination by my colleagues, students and alumni. I honestly felt great that other people have recognized my commitment to our students,” Varamini said.

Nominations for Varamini mentioned his support for students, as well as encouragement. As noted in the College’s announcement, “…students could depend on him whenever they needed sound academic or career advice.” They also praised Varamini for his ability to help them manage their goals and values, as well as for advice when students second-guessed themselves in regard to their academic career or post-graduate career.

“He not only listened, but worked with them to adjust their curriculum, change their major or find purposeful work,” the College said.

Alumni also praised Varamini for his commitment to teaching students more than business and marketing as he spoke about languages, cultures and world issues. They also praised his commitment to service and learning, which led to him majorly influencing their careers.

Varamini began working at the College in August 2000 as he “wanted to be [at] a small college” so he could get to know his students more.

“I think the key to good advising and mentoring is to get to know our students,” Varamini said. He explained further, suggesting that advisors should take the time to talk and listen to students, as well as teach students and learn from them.

In his years of teaching students, Varamini has taken the time to learn from his students, especially in light of the pandemic. He highlighted his students’ resilience in balancing their higher education as well as job searches and interpersonal relationships during a global pandemic. He also said that learning about their travels to other countries helps him to learn more about his students.

“I admire my students because…they care about social, environmental and global issues,” Varamini said. “I did not have their perspective when I was their age.”

In regard to how he assists his advisees and students, Varamini noted that he works with them throughout the recruitment process, his classes and even matches them with members of the International Business Executive Board and alumni to build a network of mentors, which can in turn influence their career paths.

Throughout his time at the College, Varamini has been noted for his assistance in helping students find internships, suitable study abroad opportunities, experience within the appropriate industry and establishment of a network.

Overall, Varamini said, “I believe that Higher Education is a social enterprise: We strive to contribute to our society by the social impact of preparing future leaders. Educating young people for a purposeful life is a ‘social good’ and I am glad to contribute to it. We work with the young adults who go through a transformative experience in college so that they can have successful careers and become contributing members in their communities. It is rewarding to observe such a transformation. I love interacting with my students on a regular basis and working at Etown has given me the chance to do what I love.”