The Reporter, May 2004

The Reporter is a publication produced by Western Carolina University featuring news, events, and campus community updates for faculty and staff. The publication began in August of 1970 and continues digitally today. Click on the link in the “Related Materials” field to access recent issues.Reporter -B- < May 3, 2004 News for the Faculty and Staff of Western Carolina University Western Presents Top Awards for Teaching, Research, and Service Western presented its top faculty and staff awards for teaching, research, and service for the 2003-04 academic year Friday, April 23, at its annual spring General Faculty Meeting and Awards Convocation. Gibbs Knotts, assistant professor of political science and public affairs, won the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award. The Paul A. Re id Service Award for faculty went to Sharon Jacques, associate professor of nursing, while the Paul A. Reid Service Award for administrative staff went to Gene McAbee, director of university police. Brian Railsback, professor of English, received the University Scholar Award. The honors were announced by Western Carolina Chancellor John W. Bardo, who also presented the Academic Program of Excellence Award to the College of Business' entrepreneurship education program. Other major awards recognized at the convocation include The University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, won by Mimi Fenton, associate professor of English; the Collaborative Education Experience Award; and the Scholarly Develop­ment Assignment Program awards. Gibbs Knotts, winner of the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, is completing his fourth year as a member of the Western faculty. In addition to teaching undergraduate political science classes, Knotts is director of Western's Master of Public Affairs Program. "He empowers students by providing them with the tools for lifelong learning and fulfilling careers," Bardo said in announcing the award. "He generates student excitement and inspires them to become civically engaged. He wants students to develop an interest in the political process and a sense of efficacy about the political system." Gibbs Knotts Sharon Jacques, winner of the Reid faculty award, has been a member of Western's nursing education faculty since 1974. She teaches and advises students in the Capstone program that enables registered nurses with two-year degrees to complete their four-year degrees, and she has led the nursing department in distance education, converting the entire Capstone program so it is offered online. "Dr. Jacques is the backbone and 'go to' person on the nursing faculty. Her many years of experience and wealth of knowledge make her invaluable not only to the Department of Nursing, but to Continued on page 3 Mimi Fenton Named One of UNC System's Premier Teachers ^ • Sharon Jacques A Western faculty member who regularly wins praise from students and colleagues for the knowledge and passion that illuminate her teaching has been named one of the best teachers in The University of North Carolina system. Mimi Fenton, associate professor of English, is among 16 recipients of the UNC Board of Governors Awards for Excellence in Teaching. The award will be presented at a recognition luncheon May 14 in Chapel Hill. Winners penton receive a commemorative bronze medallion and $7,300 cash prize. Fenton's teaching at Western ranges from introductory courses for freshmen to Renaissance and 17fh-century British literature for seniors and graduate students. Continued on page 3 Faculty Senate Announces Election Results The results of the 2004 university-wide election for the Faculty Senate resulted in the following: Chair of the Faculty (two-year term): Newton Smith, Arts and Sciences Vice Chair (two-year term): Scott Philyaw, Arts and Sciences Athletics Committee (three-year term): Denise Wilfong, Applied Sciences Faculty Grievance Committee (three-year term): Marilyn Chamberlin, Arts and Sciences (2003-2006 term) Brian Gastle, Arts and Sciences; Roger Higgs, Business; Beth Jones, Business; Sahine Rundle, Arts and Sciences Faculty Hearing Committee (three-year term): Kevin Ayers, Education and Allied Professions; Marilyn Chamberlin, Arts and Sciences; Terry Nienhuis, Arts and Sciences; Sabine Rundle, Arts and Sciences Faculty Assembly Alternate (three-year term): Austin Spencer, Business Post-tenure Review Appeals Committee (three-year term): Candace Boan, Education and Allied Professions; Roger Higgs, Business; Terry Rose, Education and Allied Professions. (2003-2006 Term) Sahine Rundle, Arts and Sciences Committee on Nominations, Elections, Councils, and Committees (CONECC) (three-year term): Dale Carpenter, Education and Allied Professions; Mark Holliday, Arts and Sciences; Nancy Newsome, Library; Austin Spencer, Business Council on Faculty Affairs (three-year term): Beverly Jacobs, Education and Allied Professions; Bill Papin, Education and Allied Professions; Deborah Paulson, Library; Sandra Saunders, Arts and Sciences Staff Forum Holds Election The Staff Forum recently held elctions. Keith Ashe is the new chairman; Terry Riouff, vice chair; and Dawn Coward, secretary. New members also were elected. They are: Clerical/Secretarial- 3 Seats: Dawne Coward, executive assistant, administrtion and finance; Alicia Estes, administrative secretary, enrollment management; and Michele Sutton, motor pool manager, facilities management. Craftsman-1 seat: Terry Riouff, PM coordinator, facilities management. Executive/Administrative-I seat: Linda Beja, accountant, controller's office. Maintenance/Service-3 seats: Ronnie Amster, grounds worker, facilities management; Marvin Baumgarner ; and Clifton Fisher, grounds supervisor, facilities management. Professional-2 seats: Julie Walters- Steele, director of the University Center; and Glenna Young, adminsitrative secretary in law, equity, law, and auditing. Technical-I seat: William Frady, consultant, IT services. V _ J Western to Bestow Two Honorary Doctorates at Spring Commencement Western Carolina University will bestow honorary doctorates on a longtime dean and on a former chairman of its board of trustees, and present a major alumni award, as the university holds spring commencement exercises Saturday, May 8. Commencement will begin at 2 p.m. in the Ramsey Center. Approximately 750 students are candidates for undergraduate and graduate degrees, pending final examinations and review. Gurney Chambers An honorary doctorate of education will be presented to Gurney E. Chambers, who served as dean of Western's College of Education and Allied Professions for 17 years before his retirement. Loretta Dodgen The Alumni Award for Academic and Professional Achievement will be given to Loretta P. Dodgen, who provides management consulting services from coast to coast through her company, Multiple Choice Inc. Joseph Crocker An honorary doctorate of humane letters will be awarded to Joseph D. Crocker, an executive with Wachovia Bank and Western trustee for eight years. Ma y 3 , 2 0 0 4 • T h e Re p o r t e r Western Presents Top Awards continued from page I the university as a whole," Bardo said. The recipient of the Reid staff • n** award, director of University Hi Police Gene McAbee, is responsible for the day-to-day [1^4 administration of the full array of B Yi*, 8fe duties performed by a local police S IgHHS department—including law IBn. mk i'tHm enforcement, investigations, 9| VSA building and property security, K^B crime prevention, crowd control, ^^•^B ^^B parking and traffic, and general •ft gl|| BB assistance to campus residents and visitors. "His job is one that often places him and those with Gene McAbee . , , . whom he deals in confrontational—even threatening—situations," Bardo said. "He is regularly challenged to find the right balance between strict enforcement of the law and helping a student step away from a life-ruining mistake." Brian Railsback, who won the University Scholar Award, is a nationally acclaimed scholar and author on the works of John Steinbeck. His first novel, an eco-thriller titled The Darkest Clearing, was published earlier this year and has been characterized by distinguished Southern author Fred Chappell as "one helluva ride," Bardo said. "Dr. Railsback s interests are wide-ranging— journalism, film, professional writing, creative writing, literary history and criticism, and a whole range of American authors figure into his world view and his engagement with multi-cultural literatures." In presenting the Academic Award of Excellence, Bardo praised the entrepreneurship education program for preparing students for successful careers as owners of small businesses and as entrepreneurship professors, and for helping economic development in the region. Western established the state's first undergraduate entrepreneurship program, and in 2003 launched the nation's first master's degree program i l i c. Brian Railsback in entrepreneurship. Or the JO master's students, 18 own their own businesses," Bardo said. "Students report that they have opened new offices, expanded their sales, increased their market shares, and hired more people— all using skills they gained in the program." The Collaborative Education Experience Award is designed to support well-rounded student learning experiences that go above and beyond traditional course requirements and support Western's mission related to teaching and learning. Emphasis is on collaborative activities that promote holistic student development. The 2004 winners are Laura Cruz, assistant Chancellor Bardo, left, presents the Academic Award of Excellence to left to right, Roger Lirely, Joann Carland, and James Carland, representatives of the entrepreneurship program. professor of history, and student Nathan Best, for "Masterstroke History Simulation," an online World War 1 role-playing exercise. Recipients in the Scholarly Development Assignment Program are James Costa, associate professor of biology; Rob Young, associate professor of geosciences and natural resources management; Mark Hotliday, associate professor of mathematics and computer science; LeVon Wilson, professor of marketing and business law; Gael Graham, professor of history; Bruce Henderson, professor of psychology; Scott Philyaw, associate professor of history; Mary Adams, associate professor of English; Betty Farmer, associate professor of communication, theatre, and dance; and Marya Roland, associate professor of art. The Scholarly Development Assignment Program provides leave from usual work commitments to full-time tenured faculty so they may pursue concentrated scholarly work. Recipients are chosen on a competitive basis by a faculty committee. Fenton Named continued from page 1 Lively lectures and class discussions are the mainstays of Fenton's classroom, and she constantly seeks new ways to make literature relevant for students beyond the classroom. Students in her Renaissance literature classes learn about the role of the printing press in early modern culture by collaboratively producing a hook, and they also organize an authentic Renaissance banquet. Students in Fenton's senior- and graduate-level classes on English writer John Milton write and deliver "prolusions," formal oratorical performances modeled on those done by Milton at Cambridge University in the 1620s. The students wear Fenton's doctoral gown when they perform. Fenton received the Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2003, and she won the College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award in 1996 and 2003. The Board of Governors Awards for Excellence in Teaching are given annually to one tenured faculty member from each UNC institution. Recipients are nominated by committees on their home campuses and selected by the Board of Governors committee on personnel and tenure. M a y 3 , 2 0 0 4 • T h e R e p o r t e r Awards Highlight Spring OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Microgrant Recipients for 2003-2004 Sloan Despeaux, assistant professor ot mathematics and computer science; Sharon Dole, assistant professor of human services; Beverly Jacobs, associate professor ot human services; James Ullmer, assistant professor of computer information systems and economics; James Murphy, assistant professor of computer information systems and economics; Steven Yurkovich, professor of geosciences and natural resources management; Beth Tyson, associate professor of birth-kindergarten, elementary and middle grades education; Lorene Todd, visiting assistant professor ot nursing; Pavel Wlosok, assistant professor of music; Luke Nicholson, assistant professor of engineering; Mary Deck, professor of human services; Heidi Buchanan, assistant professor and reference librarian, Hunter Library; Bonnie Martin, assistant professor of human environmental sciences; Julie Temple, assistant professor of human environmental science; Marie Huff, assistant professor ot social work; David Luginbuhl, associate professor of mathematics and computer science; Joe Klerlein, professor of mathematics and computer science; Janet Dickinson, assistant professor of social work; Charles Tucker, assistant professor ot nursing; Mark Holliday, associate professor of mathematics and computer science; Bruce Carroll, assistant professor ot political science and public affairs. Vice Chancellor's Instructional Improvement Grant Recipients for 2004-05 Carroll Brown, assistant professor of human environmental science, and Lou Ann Carden, assistant professor of health sciences; John DiBari, assistant professor of geoscience and natural resources management; Valerie Matthiesen, MSN program director, and Leslie Norris, assistant professor ot nursing; Laurel Vartabedian, assistant professor ot communication, theatre, and dance. COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Board of Governors—Creative and Innovative Teaching Award—Stephen Jarrell, professor of management and international business, and Rita Noel, professor of computer information systems and economics. College of Business Professor of Excellence Award— LeVon Wilson, associate professor of marketing and business law. COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES Board of Governors Innovative Teaching Award— Ann P. Johnson, associate dean, and Lorene Todd, visiting assistant professor of nursing; and Bernard Dougherty, assistant professor and director ot emergency management program. Excellence in Teaching Award—Aaron Ball, associate professor of engineering technology; Bernie Dougherty, assistant professor and director of emergency management program; Sandra Grunwell, associate professor of human environmental science; Michael Hubble, associate professor of health sciences; Judy Mallory, assistant professor of nursing; Kathy Starr, associate professor ot physical therapy. Donald C. Morgan Faculty Scholar Award—Ann P. Johnson, associate dean and associate professor of nursing, and Scott Higgins, professor of health sciences. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND ALLIED PROFESSIONS Botner Superior Teaching Award—Dixie McGinty, associate professor ot educational leadership and foundations. Board of Governors Award for Superior Teaching—Eliza Dean,visiting assistant professor of birth-kindergarten, elementary, and middle grades education; Ruby Drew, associate professor of human services; Dan Grube, assistant professor of health and human performance; and Mickey Randolph, professor of psychology. Exemplary Service Award—Marissa Ray, grant project coordinator and instructor of human services. Dean's Research Award—David Shapiro, professor of human services. Peak Performers—Ruth McCreary, coordinator of SUTEP and birth-kindergarten, elementary and middle grades education; Dale Brotherton, associate professor of human services; Gurney Chambers, office of the dean and North Carolina state director of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. GRADUATE SCHOOL Summer Research Grant—Christopher Cooper, assistant professor of political science and public affairs; Annette Debo, assistant professor of English; Katherine Mathews, assistant professor of botany, biology; Rob Young, assistant professor of geoscience and natural.resources management. Hunter Scholar Award—Ted Coyle, assistant professor of anthropology and sociology. Excellence in Graduate Student Mentoring Award— Dale Brotherton, associate professor of human services. Dean's Graduate Program Coordinator Award— James Addison, professor of English. Faculty Teaching Research Award—Gibbs Knotts, assistant professor of political science and public affairs. Ma y 3 , 2 0 0 4 • T h e R e p o r t e r COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Board of Governors' College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award—Julia Barnes, associate professor of mathematics and computer science; College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Career Award—Max Williams, professor emeritus of history; H. F. and Katherine P. Robinson Professorship—James Costa, assistant professor of biology; D. Creighton Sossomon Professorship—Gael Graham, associate professor of history; Dooley Award for Music—Will Peebles, associate professor of music. DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS Office of Student Affairs—Outstanding Staff: Fred Cantler, associate athletic director, athletics; Office of Residential Living—Outstanding Staff: Amanda Bowers, administrative services assistant; Office of Residential Living—Outstanding Faculty Contribution: Brian Railsback, professor of English; Counseling and Psychological Services—Outstanding Staff Member: Michelle Stefanisko, assistant director; Counseling and Psychological Services—Outstanding Service: IT Division Staff: Scott Powell, service specialist, networking; Mark Murphy, server speicalist, networking; Ernie Jamison, programmer speicalist, IT applications; Jason Lavigne, consultant, IT services; and John Clark, consultant, networking; Health Center—NURSE's Award: Norma Cowan, Barbara Starnes, Laura Gibbs, Wanda Makhoun, Linda Darby, and Peggy Knapp; Health Center—DOC's Award—Jeff Davis, M.D.; Tony Esterwood, M.D.; Tom Tabor, P.A.; Debbie Brotherton, P.A.; Health Center—Innovation Award: Sharlo Farineau-Davis, processing assistant; Fitness Center—Outstanding Staff: Robert Gecan, assistant fitness director/aquatics coordinator; Educational Talent Search—Department Award: Leigh McDonald, univeristy guidance counselor; Educational Talent Search—Outstanding Service Award: Maggie Donahue, outreach counselor; Educational Talent Search—New Employee Award: Chad Anderson, outreach counselor; Educational Talent Search—Outstanding Support Staff: Beth Denmon, program assistant; Office of Judicial Affairs—Outstanding Staff Award: Elizabeth Royal Norris, office assistant; University Center—Outstanding Staff Award: Jill Lindsay University Center—Outstanding Faculty Contribution: Padraig J. Acheson, visiting assistant professor of communication, theatre, and dance; Ramsey Center—Outstanding Staff. Craig Haskett, supervisor. Ma y 3 , 2 0 0 4 Noted historian Max Williams (left), professor emeritus of history, accepts the College of Arts and Sciences' 2004 Distinguished Career Award in r ecognition of his nearly 40 years of s ervice to the university. During his long teaching career at Western, Williams served twice as head of t he history department, as chair of the division of s ocial sciences, and as assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Presenting the award to Williams as part of a special tribute ceremony is Robert Vartabedian, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. DIVISION AWARDS Star Award for Special Achievement—Jill Lindsay, University Center; Star Award for Special Achievement—Carolyn Parris, housekeeper, residential living; Star Award for Special Achievement—June Wytock, staff psychologist, counseling center; Western Ambassador—Donna Welch, executive assistant, student affairs; Faculty Member of the Year—John Habel, associate professor of psychology; Bright Idea—Brian Boyer, resident director, residential living; Collaboration—Tim Inman, residence director, residential living; Energizer—Cari Egbert, wellness coordinator, health services; New Employee—Walter Turner, area coordinator, residential living, and Cari Egbert, wellness coordinator, health services; Program of the Year—NCLEAD Conference Diversity—Dwaun Warmack, director of multicultural affairs, and Michelle Stefanisko, assistant director, counseling center; John Fry Advising—Jennifer Brown, director of academic support services, athletics; Community Service—Talent Search: Todd Murdock, director; Maggie Donahue, outreach counselor; Leigh McDonald, university guidance counselor; Beth Denmon, program assistant; and Chad Anderson, outreach counselor; Advising—Jackie McHargue, judicial coordinator, residential living. Western Recognizes Service of Retirees Seven faculty and administrative staff members were honored recently during a retirement luncheon held in their honor. Chancellor John Bardo, second from left, congratulated the retirees and said they were rich in caring and professionalism. He also acknowledged their combined 135 years of service to the university. Retiring this year are left to right, John Slater, associate professor and interim department head, communica tion, theatre, and dance; Michael Creason, director of intramural sports and assistant professor; William Medaris, associate professor of engineering technology; and Robert Pittman, professor of educational leadership and foundations, entering phased retirement. Not pictured: Gary Williams, associate professor of business computer information systems and economics; Oakley Winters, dean, continuing education and summer school; and Robert Godfrey, professor of art, phased retirement. SPA Service Awards Slated for June 1 The annual SPA Service Awards luncheon to honor employees who have reached specified years of service with Western and the f state of North Carol