Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award

Jerry served as President in 1985 and was a Professor of Speech and Theater at Sauk Valley College. He coached individual events for a while, but was much more active in oral interpretation festival competitions. Mathis published and presented several papers at national conferences on oral interpretation. He directed numerous outstanding theater productions during his tenure at Sauk Valley College. An Endowed scholarship in his name has been established at Sauk Valley College. Shortly after his death, the College also built a new state of the art theater and named it the Jerry Mathis Theater. He won several outstanding teaching awards at Sauk Valley College and was recognized nationally as an outstanding educator. The Mathis Award is presented to a current Illinois teacher who has taught five or fewer years in the field of communication or theatre and who has demonstrated outstanding potential for success in the discipline.

2024 Jerry Mathis Young Teacher Award Winner

Brian Bohr, Elgin Community College

Brian Bohr (He/Him) is an Instructor of Communication Studies at Elgin Community College, where he teaches Fundamentals of Speech, Intercultural Communication, and Oral Interpretation of Literature. He holds a B.S. in Communication Studies and Theatre from Northwestern University and a M.A. in Communication and Media from DePaul University. His research interests include communication apprehension, narrative storytelling, and critical performance studies. Brian is passionate about storytelling and has created a signature storytelling event at ECC that annually hosts over 150 guests and participants. He has also developed partnerships with local elementary schools, collaborating with students on storytelling and performance projects. In addition to his academic role, Brian is an assistant speech coach at Wheaton Warrenville South High School, where he has coached multiple Individual Event and Performance in the Round State Champions. He takes pride in coaching for the same program in which he once competed. Before transitioning to teaching, Brian was a professional actor, performing in musical theatre productions worldwide, including over twenty productions at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre.