For nearly 40 years, Dr. Pam Faber has been sparking curiosity and shaping futures in Heidelberg’s anatomy and physiology classrooms and labs. Now, her incredible impact has been recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Educator Award!
The award, presented this morning by The Seneca County Collaborative as part of its annual Educators Appreciation Breakfast, was a huge thrill for Pam. “I am very touched,” she said. “To be recognized at this level is an honor. It’s been a great 38 years at Heidelberg!”
Pam shared how much she’s valued the chance to help students become competitive and confident as they move on from Heidelberg. She was quick to point out that an award like this “doesn’t happen in isolation,” and expressed heartfelt thanks to her family, Heidelberg’s leadership, and the alumni who’ve supported her throughout her career.
To present the award, The Collaborative created a video of Pam’s Heidelberg colleagues, family, and community partners to recognize her leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing student success. According to The Collaborative, the award honors those “who inspire their peers, shape future leaders, and make a lasting impact within schools and the community.”
In the video, Provost Dr. Courtney DeMayo Pugno introduced Pam, noting that there isn’t a single part of Heidelberg’s campus that she hasn’t touched.
“She inspires everyone around her to do better than we normally would do,” Courtney said. “… Every day that Pam Faber is on Heidelberg’s campus is a blessing.”
In addition to teaching and serving as a role model for aspiring scientists, Pam served as Heidelberg’s Registrar for 9 years and earned two HU master’s degrees and one bachelor’s degree. She’s also been active in the community as a mental health counselor and volunteer for the Red Cross and the Seneca County Community Emergency Response Team.
President Rob Huntington spoke about Pam’s impact. “Her definition of learning and growing and becoming a great young person who goes out and has a wonderful life goes well beyond just the classroom and the laboratory,” he said, adding, “This is so well deserved. I feel lucky for having spent the last 16, going on 17 years as a partner with you in trying to lift up our students, lift up Heidelberg University, and make us a greater member of this community at the same time.”
Rob spoke about Pam’s role in creating and growing Heidelberg’s Body Donor Lab 37 years ago with the same degree of passion she has for that lab and the Animal Lab she also created a decade ago.
Combined, the labs represent an extraordinary teaching and learning experience for students, not to mention a huge part of Pam’s ’Heidelerg legacy. “That’s just incredible,” he said, noting that the Body Donor Lab has “gotten bigger and better and is still going.”
“Those two labs will be here when she, in all likelihood, retires about a year from now,” Rob said.
Friend and colleague Dr. Bryan Smith, Professor of Chemistry, recalls the good fortune of meeting Pam when he was enrolled in one of Pam’s introductory biology courses 38 years ago. It didn’t take Bryan long to recognize Pam’s high but fair standards, and he immediately sought her out as his faculty advisor.
“The quiet, dedicated, passionate way she approaches her job and her commitment to students … she is one of our biggest champions for students across the board,” Bryan said.
Shirley Smith, retired director of Family Counseling Service, recalled that Pam arrived at the agency as a (graduate) student and never left. She has worked as a counselor there for about 20 years.
Also in attendance to celebrate with Pam were her niece, Stacie Campbell, and her two great-nephews. Although still years away from a college classroom, great-nephew Colin recognizes his aunt’s talents. “She finds a way to make everything educational in a really fun way,” he said.
“When I heard she’d gotten (the award), I thought, ‘She absolutely deserves it. She has worked so hard and she’s really good at what she does.’”
Courtney offered a final message about Pam’s impact on her current and future students, peers, and Heidelberg.
“Thank you for reminding us why we do what we do, for inspiring your students to pursue the sciences. Thank you for inspiring generations of future scientists,” Courtney said. “Heidelberg is better because you have spent your career with us.”
Congratulations, Pam, for sparking scientific curiosity, helping to launch careers, and changing lives!