The award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching in advertising. Patwardhan joined the Winthrop community in 2005. 
ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University Professor of Mass Communication Padmini
Patwardhan has another well-deserved plaque in her Johnson Hall office: the Charles H. Sandage Award for Teaching Excellence from the American Academy of Advertising (AAA). She accepted the award at the March 23-25 conference in Boston.
"Needless to say, I am very honored since this is a national award from one of our
prestigious academic associations," she said. "Incidentally, Charles Sandage's book
on advertising was the first I read on the subject as a journalism school student
in India back in the day, so it has special meaning for me."
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to teaching in advertising. Guy Reel,
chair of the Department of Mass Communication, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication
Sabrina Habib and Professor Emerita of Mass Communication Marilyn Sarow and three
alumni nominated and/or wrote letters of recommendation for Patwardhan.
Reel said Patwardhan rightfully earned this honor through her dedication to her students
and the classroom experience.
"I can honestly say she brings as much joy to the classroom as any teacher I've ever
seen," he said. "When students excel and are successful in the profession, she is
prouder than anyone for them. That's why she brings excellence to her teaching, because
she wants to see those students be the best that they can be. The ˜Sandy' award was
well deserved."
Habib agreed, noting that students respect Patwardhan as a "tough professor who sets
high standards, and they want to grow to meet her expectations."
"I have observed first-hand the dedicated relationships she has not just with current
students, but also alumni," Habib said. "In all interactions, she focuses on creating
a comfortable and respectful environment that encourages collaboration and sharing
of ideas."
Joe Phelps, chair of the AAA award committee and Reese Phifer Professor at the University
of Alabama, noted that many regard Sandage, the award's namesake, as "the" pioneer
in advertising education. His and Patwardhan's name will now be forever connected,
he said.
Patwardhan has been a much-decorated member of the faculty since joining the Winthrop
community in 2005. Winthrop career highlights include securing the Advertising Educational
Foundation Visiting Professorship in 2006; being named the Thompson Scholar in 2011;
embarking on a sabbatical studying leadership qualities and factors impacting leadership
development in 2015; and earning the Temerlin Advertising Institute's Visiting Research
Fellowship in 2015.
The American Academy of Advertising (AAA) is an organization of advertising scholars
and professionals with an interest in advertising and advertising education. The Academy
fosters research that is relevant to the field and provides a forum for the exchange
of ideas among its academic and professional members.
For more information, contact Nicole Chisari, communications coordinator at Winthrop, at 803/323-2236 or chisarin@winthrop.edu.
