IN THIS ISSUE: ACES | ALS | Civil Service Scholarships | OCE |Engineering |
agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences
The International Soybean Program (INTSOY) in the National Soybean Research Laboratory at the UI has been selected as the first recipient of the 2005 Bor S. Luh International Award from the Institute of Food Technologists. The award recognizes INTSOY’s dedicated service in enhancing the nutritional and health needs of people around the world and contributing to their economic and social development. IFT is a nonprofit scientific society with more than 27,000 members working in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, universities and government.
Gerald W. “Jerry” Bell, professor of kinesiology and of disability resources and educational services, was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, a not-for-profit organization representing and supporting 30,000 members of the athletic training profession. Bell and four other certified athletic trainers were recognized for their significant contributions on the state, regional and national levels during the association’s 56th annual meeting in Indianapolis in June. Nominated and selected by their peers, the new inductees have been certified NATA members for at least 25 years.
Recipients of the 2005-06 Civil Service Employees and Dependents Scholarships were recognized June 7 at a reception. Eight dependents of employees were selected to receive the awards: Julie N. Boise, daughter of Lisa Boise, administrative secretary, plant biology; Michael C. Butler, son of Lori Butler, accountant I, Beckman Institute; Charles Michael Hamlin, son of Elaine Sampson, administrative secretary, departments of East Asian Language and Cultures, French and German; Jacob Mathis, son of Rick Mathis, painter, Facilities & Services; Cedric O. Idudu-Moore, son of Geraldine Moore, secretary III, French; and Sarah Woodward, daughter of Kelly Woodward, duplicating manager, Facilities & Services Printing Department.
Two UI music instructors were recognized for their excellence in teaching in the Elderhostel program. Richard Murphy and Thomas Schleis were among those recognized by Elderhostel, the national/international lifelong learning network for older adults, at its 30th anniversary Gala Dinner that celebrated the “Year of the Instructor.” Murphy, who teaches the Choral Singing Workshop for the UI Elderhostel program, is head of music at University Laboratory High School. Schleis, who teaches musical theater and opera in the UI Elderhostel program, is a lecturer in opera studies and manager of the Illinois Opera Theater. Both instructors, who teach full time in addition to their Elderhostel commitments, were recognized for sharing their knowledge and experience with Elderhostelers from around the country “with heart and imagination.”
Najmuddin Shaik, research programmer in the Office of Continuing Education’s Division of Academic Outreach, received the “2005 Best Paper Award” at the annual Distance Learning Administration Conference. His presentation, “Marketing Distance Learning Programs and Courses: A Relationship Marketing Strategy,” noted the application of relationship-type marketing strategies in business, and explored the relevance of this marketing method to student recruitment and retention in distance learning programs. The presentation highlighted the services provided by the department, as well as the Service Center developed by Academic Outreach staff members. He also cited three successful distance learning programs on the Urbana campus that have master’s degree programs with a focus on building long-term relationships with their students and sustaining enrollment: the Graduate School of Library and Information Science Online Education (LEEP), Human Resources Education Online (HRE), and Curriculum Technology and Education Reform (CTER) programs.
John C. Chato, professor and assistant dean emeritus of mechanical and industrial engineering, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the UI department of mechanical and industrial engineering and its Alumni Association. Chato earned his MSME degree from the UI in 1955. He returned to the UI in 1964 after earning his doctoral degree at MIT and teaching there for a few years. He was on the UI faculty until he retired in 1996. His primary professional activities were in the thermal-fluids areas, such as condensation, bioengineering, electrohydrodynamics and cryogenics.
Stephen A. Boppart, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will be awarded the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Early Career Achievement Award for 2005. Boppart was recognized for “significant advances in the field of optical biomedical imaging, including the development of molecular contrast enhancing probes and techniques in optical coherence tomography.” The award will be presented at the International IEEE EMBS meeting in Shanghai, China, Sept. 1-4.
Youssef Hashash, professor of civil and environmental engineering, was selected to participate in the National Academy of Engineering’s 11th annual Frontiers of Engineering symposium in September. The three-day event will bring together engineers, ages 30 to 45, who perform cutting-edge engineering research and technical work in a variety of disciplines. The 88 participants represent some of the nation’s brightest young engineers – from industry, academia and government – nominated by fellow engineers or organizations and chosen from 220 applicants. The NAE is an independent, nonprofit institution that serves as an adviser to government and the public on issues in engineering and technology.