By Pete Schramm
Western & Southern Financial Group
Western & Southern Financial Group, in partnership with Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), named Dr. Mary Webb, math teacher and department chair at Withrow University High School, the 2023 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year.
Dr. Webb was chosen by Western & Southern and other reviewers from a group of finalists who were nominated by their peers in Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). She was recognized today with a plaque at a ceremony held at the Guilford Building downtown and will receive a personal check for $10,000. At the ceremony, WLWT-TV anchor Courtis Fuller served as emcee, and John F. Barrett, Western & Southern’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Iranetta Wright, superintendent and chief executive officer of CPS, congratulated the finalists.
“We are very pleased to recognize Dr. Webb for her dedication to her students and serving as an exemplary role model,” Barrett said. “Recognizing educators like Dr. Webb and preparing young people for the future is a focus of Western & Southern in its efforts to help make Cincinnati the best place to live, work and celebrate life.”
“As a District, we are incredibly proud of Dr. Mary Webb and her exceptional care and dedication to improving outcomes for students. Dr. Webb goes above and beyond to meet her students’ needs, while engaging them in real-world math application. A dedicated public servant, Dr. Webb is an Army veteran with nearly 30 years teaching experience. In addition to being an outstanding math teacher, Dr. Webb leads the math department at Withrow University High School,” Wright said. “We thank Western & Southern for honoring Dr. Webb’s achievements and applaud all of the educators who were nominated.”
Western & Southern established the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award in 2007 to inspire and reward excellence among CPS educators. This distinguished award honors one educator each year who has elevated the educational process in public schools to an exceptional level through personal commitment, dedicated focus and outstanding results. The namesake of the award, Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins, was a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, a well-respected Cincinnati educator, former executive vice president of administration at the University of Cincinnati and former Western & Southern board member. He passed away in 2009.
For more information on the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award, visit www.westernsouthern.com/hawkinsaward.
Founded in Cincinnati in 1888 as The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is the parent company of a group of diversified financial services businesses.
