UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cyanne E. Loyle, associate professor of political science and international affairs in the College of the Liberal Arts, has earned the 2024 McKay Donkin Award.
Established in 1969 in honor of the late McKay Donkin, who served as vice president and treasurer of the University from 1957 to 1968, the award is presented to a full-time member of the faculty or staff or to a retiree who has contributed most to the “economic, physical, mental or social welfare of the faculty” of the University. The contribution should be for duties or services above and beyond the recipient’s regularly assigned duties.
Loyle created the pilot College of the Liberal Arts Faculty Writing Program at Penn State when she joined the faculty in 2019, immediately making an impact on faculty writing, research, and professional and personal well-being. The writing program extends beyond her college, assisting faculty across the University. Nominators said the program has increased research productivity among members and has brought together faculty from various disciplines to advance their careers through scholarship, thereby enhancing Penn State’s research reputation.
The writing program began with humble beginnings with just a handful of faculty participants. But it has grown to about 85, the majority being women or underrepresented faculty members. Nominators said Loyle excels at bringing diverse groups of people together to work towards a common goal.
“Dr. Loyle’s writing groups are one of the best retention tools we have for women and underrepresented faculty, thereby further contributing to the economic welfare of the University,” a nominator said.
Nominators said the growth and success of the group is a testament to her work ethic and desire to help those around her succeed. She’s currently expanding the group.
“She goes out of her way to keep our whole flock on track and flying forward,” a nominator said. “I sincerely believe that through her efforts to help faculty stay active in their writing through and beyond the COVID- 19 pandemic, Dr. Loyle has aided in dozens of our economic well-being, the university’s economic well-being, and all of our writers’ mental and social well-being.”
As the group continues to grow, nominators said, it becomes an even more challenging workload for Loyle. But she’s always available to elevate her peers.
“In its present form, the Faculty Writing Program is a hybrid one, and Dr. Loyle has since expanded it to formally include the Bellisario College of Communications,” a nominator said. “Not many faculty can say they created, from scratch, a multi-college initiative that helps faculty achieve their writing and research goals, provides them a space to meet other faculty, and provides the much-needed social support — both instrumental and emotional — to persevere in through and beyond the pandemic.”