Posted: Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Mary Kessler, dean of the College of Education and Health Sciences at UE, has been named one of the 2019 ATHENA Award® finalists. 

Recipients of the ATHENA Award® are exceptional leaders in the Evansville-area community that have actively and generously assisted others in the attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

Those who nominated Kessler for the award cited many personal traits and professional accomplishments:  

"From assisting in career decisions, to helping advance careers, Mary encourages women to pursue their full potential and continually helps them along the way."

"While achieving a high level in her own career, Mary serves as a role model to many women, both young and mature. Regardless of her professional demands, Mary is devoted to guiding women in their pursuits through many fields including engineering, law, health and other professions, is an advocate for women in our community, and inspires women to attain the highest level within their careers. Most importantly, Mary promotes work-life balance and the importance of professional women finding time to care for themselves in order to be their personal best at home and work."

"Mary has been the recipient of UE’s Global Scholar Award, as well as the Dean’s Outstanding Professor Award for her work with students, and the Student’s Award for Advisor of the Year. She has mentored physical therapy students in the research process and has had several studies presented at national professional conferences. Mary has also been recognized for her leadership role in bringing the [Stone Family Center for Health Sciences] to completion."

The ATHENA Awards® have been hosted by the Southwest Indiana Chamber annual since the 1990s. The 2019 recipient will be announced at the annual ATHENA Award® Luncheon on February 22, 2019. 

Other finalists include: Gina Gibson, executive director at Evansville Christian Life Center; Deena Laska Lewis, founder and choreographer at Children's Center for Dance Education; Millie Marshall, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana; Susan Parsons, CFO at Koch Enterprises; and Carrie Roelle, partner at Kahn, Dees, Donovan, & Kahn, LLP. 

Chicago-based ATHENA International is a nonprofit organization founded in 1982 by Martha Mertz. In addition to supporting, developing, and honoring women leaders, the organization seeks to create balance in leadership worldwide and inspire women to achieve their full potential. Since the program’s inception in 1982, nearly 6,000 leaders in more than 500 communities have received the ATHENA Award®.

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