For the second and final round of American National University’s Bi-Annual Faculty Institutional Excellence Award of 2024, three professors have been named: Dr. Nathan Sullivan, Dr. Billy Painter, and David Henriksen. Program chairs, deans, and direct managers nominate individuals who exemplify ANU’s core values. Nominees must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and student success, utilize an engaging and active teaching style that fosters intellectual curiosity, communicate effectively with students, and leave a lasting, positive impact on their educational journey. This award serves to honor faculty members who personify these values. The recipients of this award exemplify dedication to their classes, students, and the mission of delivering the quality education our students deserve.
Dr. Nathan Sullivan
Dr. Sullivan has been teaching at the college level for four years and has over 13 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry. He currently serves as a Senior Cybersecurity Engineer for the government, specializing in the certification and accreditation of computer systems. His academic accomplishments include earning three associate degrees, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity, and a doctorate in Information Assurance from the University of Fairfax.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Sullivan holds 13 industry certifications, including CEH Master, Security+, Pentest+, Linux, AWS, and Project Management. A veteran of the U.S. military, he served for six years. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys playing strategy computer games, participating in sports, and sharing his knowledge through teaching.
Dr. Billy Painter
Dr. Painter has been in the pharmacy business for 51 years, either as a teacher or a student. Over the course of his career, he has been partial owner of three stores. His experience spans a wide range of settings, including retail, hospital, boarding houses, head trauma units, drug rehab centers, assisted living facilities, as well as chain and independent pharmacies. A proud Navy veteran, he served for four years and traveled half the world aboard a destroyer
For the past six years, he has been teaching pharmacology—a role he thoroughly enjoys. Outside of work, he loves the beach, lakes, fishing, singing gospel songs, watching movies, teaching, and savoring good food and drink.
David Henriksen
Mr. Henriksen is originally from Coon Rapids, Minnesota and currently resides in Clarksville, Tennessee. He served in the United States Army as a special agent criminal investigator, from June 1975 until his retirement in June 1995. During his military career, he served in a variety of assignments throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
During Mr. Henriksen’s time in the service, he earned an Associate of Applied Science from Colorado Technical College in Colorado Springs. He later went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Secondary Education and a Master of Arts in Military History.
Mr. Henriksen taught Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment U.S. History with the Cheatham County, Tennessee school system from 1999-2012. He then taught as a full time instructor with Daymar College in Clarksville, TN in the Criminal Justice, Business, and General Education programs until 2021, when he retired from full time teaching. For the last eight years, Mr. Henriksen has taught as an adjunct instructor of American History and Government with American National University.
Mr. Henriksen has three adult children, six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and he is expecting another great-grandchild in March 2025. In his spare time, Mr. Henriksen enjoys reading, photography, and camping with his recreation vehicle and traveling throughout the United States.
