MIAD Values Recognition Award: Dale Shidler

Dale Shidler and Jeff Morin

Dale Shidler, Professor of Communication Design, received the February 2024 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Dale’s nominations highlighted his embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Integrity, Kindness and Community.

The MIAD Values Recognition Award (VRA) celebrates faculty and staff who consistently model MIAD’s values of courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation and inclusion. After employees nominate a colleague for the award, a committee made up of faculty, staff and previous VRA winners convenes to vote on the month’s recipient. Awardees receive a $250 prize.

In his 25th year of teaching, Shidler still remembers the interview process vividly. “MIAD was the only [college] that asked me to teach a class as a part of my interview process,” he explains. “It told me what kind of a community MIAD was, how student focused it was. And the students are the greatest! They are so passionate about what they’re doing. And I have amazing colleagues across the college. Everyone here wants our students to succeed. It is an inspiring community to be a part of.”

One of Shidler’s nominators said, “I have had the pleasure of working with Dale in many capacities over the years. Dale has always shown respect, kindness and compassion to others. His students LOVE him. Co-workers have nothing but great things to say. Dale ran the Illustration and Communication departments single handedly for many years. This greatly speaks to his organizational skills…of which I am in awe. The integrity that Dale brings to his profession is clear, what is also clear is his love and dedication to MIAD. Dale’s passion is teaching…Thank you Dale for everything you’ve done for MIAD!”

“The presentation of the award took me by surprise, but I am so thankful and honored to be selected for this,” continues Shidler. “The MIAD community is filled with people who really live our values—the students, the staff, the faculty, our trustees—it’s an amazing thing to be a member of this learning community.”

Another nominator finishes, “Dale has always been a person to step up, to serve the community, to ask if he can help. He is someone to count on.”

Learn more about MIAD’s Values Recognition Award or nominate a colleague at miad.edu/vra.