ϳԹ School of Performing Arts professor Dr. Betty Sue Shepherd is recipient of this year’s George Macon Memorial Award at the school. The award annually honors a faculty member whose performance as a teacher, counselor and friend to students demonstrates the ability to inspire students to greatness.
Dr. Shepherd, who has taught piano at ϳԹfor more than 45 years, received the award from ϳԹProvost Dr. Brad Creed during the opening convocation of the spring semester Thursday (JAN. 29).
“She is known as a teacher who combines the establishment of high expectations for her students with a willingness to invest extra time with them so that they might fulfill those expectations,” said Creed.
Her students have recurring success in regional and national competitions and in admission to graduate school. She was named Teacher of the Year by the Alabama Music Teachers Association in 2001.
A concert pianist who has been organist at Vestavia Hills Baptist Church for 35 years, Shepherd is the author of two publications of hymn arrangements, By Request: Favorite Hymns for Organ and Sacred Concert Stylings, for piano. She has recorded “Shepherd’s Song.”