St. Ambrose University has honored Nicholas Enz, DMA, the director of bands and faculty member in the music department, with the 2026 Whalen-Fitzgibbon Award for Outstanding Innovative Teaching. The award recognizes faculty whose teaching transforms students’ lives through innovation, mentorship, and a deep commitment to learning.
Enz conducts the St. Ambrose Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble while teaching courses in music, music education, and music technology. He also serves as conductor of the American Prize-winning Quad City Wind Ensemble.
In presenting the award, Amy Novak, EdD, president of St. Ambrose University, described Enz as an educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom and rehearsal hall. Through performances and creative collaborations, he encourages students to recognize their talents and discover possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves.
“His teaching is grounded in strong pedagogy, but it is animated by creativity, courage, and a deep love for students,” Novak shared. “He does not simply deliver content. He creates possibility.”
One example highlighted during the ceremony centered on a collaboration between music and cybersecurity students to create an immersive audio-visual experience for a symphonic performance. Audience members scanned a QR code and used their phones to contribute light and sound effects in real time, transforming the concert into an interactive experience. Colleagues praised Enz’s willingness to embrace ambitious ideas that encourage students to think creatively and take risks.
Enz was also recognized for developing a course in audio recording, editing, and engineering in response to student interest and the evolving world of music technology. For one student searching for her place within a traditional music pathway, the course opened new possibilities and helped reconnect her passion for music with a renewed sense of purpose.
Beyond his own courses, Enz is known for supporting student and alumni research and generously mentoring students both inside and outside the classroom. Colleagues say his work reflects the mission and values of St. Ambrose University through creativity, service, and a commitment to helping students grow personally and professionally.
Under Enz’s leadership, the St. Ambrose band program has grown into the largest in university history – a reflection not only of his musical leadership, but also of the sense of belonging and encouragement he inspires in students.
“Great teaching does more than inform. It illuminates,” Novak said. “It helps students see a future they could not yet see for themselves.”
The Whalen-Fitzgibbon Award celebrates faculty whose teaching leaves a lasting impact on students and the university community. For Enz, that impact can be seen in the students he mentors and the passion for music and learning he inspires every day.
