IN THIS ISSUE: ACES | AHS | BUSINESS | CONTINUING ED | EDUCATION | ENGINEERING | FAA | IL LEADERSHIP CENTER | ILIR | LAS | GLIS | PUBLIC SAFETY| SOCIAL WORK | VET MED | LIBRARY
agricultural, consumer and environmental sciences
Randall E. Westgren, professor of agribusiness management and director of the Food and Agribusiness Management Program in the department of agricultural and consumer economics, was honored with the Palmes académiques (Academic Palms). The award is given by the French consulate for advancing the history and culture of France.
Faculty and staff members were honored April 23 at the college’s annual Funk Awards banquet.
The Paul A. Funk Recognition Award, the college’s top faculty honor, went to Michael E. Gray, professor of crop sciences, Joseph H. Pleck, professor of human and community development, and Bryan A. White, professor of animal sciences.
Receiving the college’s Alumni Association Award of Merit were David H. Baker, professor emeritus of nutritional sciences; Richard J. Feltes, Larry L. Fischer, Roscoe L. Pershing, engineering administration; and Rodney E. Swoboda.
The Spitze Land-Grant Professorial Career Excellence Award was given to Mary Ann Lila, professor of plant physiology in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences.
Elvira de Mejia, professor of food science and human nutrition, received the Faculty Award for Global Impact.
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching went to, at the senior level, Paul N. Ellinger, professor of agricultural and consumer economics, and, at the college level, Kelly A. Tappenden, professor of food science and human nutrition.
Receiving the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research were James K. Drackley, professor of nutritional sciences in the department of animal sciences (at the senior level), and Vijay Singh, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, at the college level.
Michael C. Hirschi, professor of agricultural and biological engineering, received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Extension at the senior level. Paul E. McNamara, professor of nutritional sciences in the department of agricultural and consumer economics received the award at the college level.
The Karl E. Gardner Outstanding Undergraduate Adviser Award went to Walter L. Hurley, professor of animal sciences.
The John Clyde and Henrietta Downey Spitler Teaching Award was given to Karen M. Chapman-Novakofski, professor of food science and human nutrition.
Earning the Team Award for Excellence was the Illinois Center for Soy Foods team: Keith R. Cadwallader, professor of food chemistry; Barbara P. Klein, professor emeritus; and Karl E. Weingartner, principal research specialist in agriculture, all in the department of food science and human nutrition; and Pradeep K. Khanna, associate director of the National Soybean Research Laboratory.
Three Professional Staff Awards for Excellence were presented. James C. Schmidt, Extension horticulturist in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences, was honored for sustained excellence in teaching and outreach. Douglas J. Maxwell, principal research specialist in the department of crop sciences, was recognized for sustained excellence in research, and the award for sustained excellence in administrative/management or technical contributions went to Alison B. Schmulbach, executive assistant dean for ACES.
The Staff Award for Excellence went to Linda G. Harvey, secretary IV in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences, and Marcia A. Johnson, staff secretary in the department of crop sciences.
The Marcella M. Nance Staff Award was given to Richard C. Keever, manager of the feed mill plant in the department of animal sciences.
Gerald K. Sims, professor of crop sciences in the department of natural resources and environmental sciences received the Service Recognition Award.
applied health sciences
The College of Applied Health Sciences honored two faculty members:
Ryan Gower, lecturer of recreation sport and tourism, was honored for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, and Edward McAuley, professor of kinesiology and community health, was honored for Excellence in Guiding Undergraduate Research.
business
Jeffrey Brown, professor of finance, and Mark Peecher, professor of accountancy, received the Excellence in Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Award from the college’s Alumni Association.
continuing education
The votes are in. Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the Illinois Bureau of Tourism have revealed the official Seven Wonders of Illinois. Allerton Park and Retreat Center is the winning wonder for the central region. Allerton offers 1,500 acres of scenery with formal gardens, unique sculptures, natural areas, hiking trails and a century-old Georgian-style mansion. The park is a unique venue for meetings, conferences and retreats as well as weddings and other special events. For more information on the other winners, visit www.enjoyillinois.com.
education
Several faculty members were honored by the College of Education.
Sarah Lubienski, professor of curriculum and instruction, was named the 2005-2006 Distinguished Scholar.
Scott D. Johnson, professor and head of human resource education, received the Distinguished Teaching Career Award for Faculty.
Andrea Ellinger, professor of human resource education, received the Outstanding Faculty Award for Service.
Janet Gaffney, professor of special education, received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award for Faculty.
Lisa Monda-Amaya, professor of special education, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award for Faculty.
Sheila Ashbrook, adjunct lecturer of curriculum and instruction, received the Outstanding Teaching Award for Visiting Faculty.
The Spitze-Mather Faculty Award for Excellence was awarded to Mary-Alayne Hughes, lecturer of special education.
engineering
The College of Engineering honored faculty members and students at a ceremony and luncheon April 27 at the Illini Union.
Bruce A. Conway, professor of aerospace engineering, and Leonard Pitt, professor of computer science, were awarded the college’s Teaching Excellence Award.
The BP Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Instruction was given to Michael Philpott, professor of mechanical science and engineering, and Mark Shannon, professor of mechanical science and engineering.
Gregory Elliot, professor of aerospace engineering, and Youssef Hashash, professor of civil and environmental engineering, were honored with the Collins Award for Innovative Teaching.
The Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising was presented to Pascal Bellon, professor of materials science and engineering; Paul V. Braun, professor of materials science and engineering; and Angus A. Rockett, professor of materials science and engineering.
Dimitrios Kyritsis, professor of mechanical science and engineering, and Bruce A. Conway, professor of aerospace engineering, were honored with the Everitt Award for Teaching Excellence.
The Tau Beta Pi Daniel C. Drucker Eminent Faculty Award was given to Dale Van Harlingen, professor of physics.
Xerox Awards for Faculty Research were awarded to Gustavo Gioia, professor of mechanical science and engineering, Farzad Kamalabadi, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Paul Kenis, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; Erik Luijten, professor of materials science and engineering; Jennifer Bernhard, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Philippe Guebelle, professor of aerospace engineering; Barbara Minsker, professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Taher A. Saif, professor of mechanical science and engineering.
Craig Zilles, professor of computer science; and John Popovics, professor of civil and environmental engineering; and Stephen Bond, professor of computer science, received the Rose Award for Teaching Excellence.
fine and applied arts
Gabriel Solis, professor of music, was honored by the college with the Faculty Award for Excellence.
Daniel Sullivan, Swanlund professor of theater, won the Outstanding Director Award for “Stuff Happens.” The show also was named Outstanding Play at the Lucille Lortel Awards (Outstanding Achievements Off-Broadway).
illinois leadership center
Alice Faron, visiting program coordinator in the department of agricultural and consumer sciences, received the 2007 Jeffrey Moss Outstanding Leadership Coach Award presented by the Illinois Leadership Center. Faron was nominated by Kali Steinman, a 2007 UI marketing graduate. The award recognizes an Illinois Leadership Certificate coach for extraordinary support, encouragement, dedication and coaching of students enrolled in the program. Faron is currently doing consulting work in the area of transition and retirement.
labor and industrial relations
Craig Olson, ILIR alumni professor, received the Faculty Teaching Excellence Award.
law
Andrew Leipold, professor of law, received the John E. Cribbet Excellence in Teaching Award (2006-2009).
liberal arts and sciences
Matthew Ando, professor of mathematics; C.L. Cole, professor of gender and women’s studies; and Stephen Marshak, professor and head of geology; received the LAS Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Iryce Baron, instructor of English, was honored with the LAS Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching for Instructional Staff.
The LAS Humanities Teaching Excellence Award was given to Trish Loughran, professor of English.
Deneen Demarie-Offenstein, academic adviser of psychology, was honored with the LAS Academic Advising Award.
library and information sciences
Christine A. Jenkins, professor of library and information science, was named the GSLIS Centennial Scholar.
public safety
Officer Robert Murphy was honored as Police Officer of the Year during the Division of Public Safety’s annual awards reception May 2 at the Urbana Civic Center. Other honors presented at the ceremony:
Carol Bailey Civilian Employee Award: Vicki Strom, secretary IV, Public Safety.
Cecil Coleman Award: Keith Erickson, management engineer, Facilities Planning and Programs.
Director of Public Safety Recognition Award: Edward Morford, assistant director of campus recreation; Gregor Vacketta, systems administrator III, Public Safety.
Division commendations: Officers Robert Murphy, C. Eugene Moore, Joe McCullough, Laura Phillips, Timothy Harper; Sgt. Anthony Brown; Sgt. Tom Geis.
Marksmanship awards: first place (tie) – Officer Timothy Harper, Officer Aaron Landers; second place (tie) – Officer George Sandwick, Officer Eric Vogt; third place – Officer John Wright.
Merit awards: Officers Michelle Ortiz, Christopher Hawk, William Smoot, Matthew Ballinger, Robert Murphy, Timothy Harper, and Jody Huffman; Sgt. Aaron Frederick.
Student awards: Citizen commendation award: Timothy M. Holmes; Student patrol commendation award: Nathan McKeown; Student patrol officer of the year award: Kristen Lovejoy.
social work
Janet Carter-Black, professor of social work, received the Anthony Halter Award in Teaching Excellence.
veterinary medicine
Thomas Graves, professor of veterinary clinical medicine and chief of small animal medicine, received the Dr. Gordon and Mrs. Helen Kruger Teaching Excellence Award.
Joan S. Jorgensen, professor of veterinary biosciences, was honored with the Carl J. Norden Pfizer Distinguished Teaching Award.
university library
Several UI library faculty members were elected to positions in the American Library Association.
Stephanie Atkins, assistant circulation and bookstacks librarian and professor of library administration, was elected vice chair/chair-elect of the Sharing and Transforming Access Services Section.
Rajwant Chilana, South Asian studies librarian and professor of library administration was elected vice chair/chair-elect of the African and Middle Eastern section.
Mary Mallory, head of the Government Documents Library and professor of library administration, was elected association councilor of the Government Documents Roundtable.
Lisa Romero, head of the Communications Library and professor of library administration, was elected member-at-large of the Reference and User Services Association’s Collection Development and Evaluation.
Allison Sutton, psychology/social work/electronic resources coordinator and professor of library administration, was elected member-at-large of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ African American Studies Section.
Tom Weissinger, head of the Afro-Americana Library and professor of library administration, was elected vice chair/chair-elect of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ African American Studies Section.