Amy Mitchell, staff assistant at University Park, is the 2002 winner of the Outstanding Office Professional Award given by the Penn State Educational Office Professionals.

This award recognizes an office employee who has provided exceptional meritorious service on behalf of the University. Criteria for selecting the recipient include professionalism, leadership skills, resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, quality of work, continuous quality improvement and positive attitude.

Mitchell has worked as a staff assistant for 19 years in the College of Health and Human Development. She has served as chairperson on the College of Health and Human Development Diversity Committee and as a member of the search committee for the kinesiology department head.

PSEOP is an organization dedicated to increasing the level of professionalism of all University office personnel through continuing development. PSEOP is open to all current and retired Penn State office employees.

Abington faculty earn
recognition at ceremony

Penn State Abington recognized faculty during the annual Honors and Leaders Convocation.

Lisa Morris, instructor and coordinator of the administration of justice program, received the Chief Ogontz Award from the Student Government Association. The Chief Ogontz Award is given to a faculty or staff member for contributions to student life.

The Faculty Senate presented four awards during the convocation. Benjamin Erwin, lecturer in computer science, received the Faculty Senate Special Recognition Award for his work as adviser to the senior class.

Annette Caruso, assistant professor of biobehavioral health, was presented with the Faculty Senate Distinguished Faculty Service Award for her service to the Penn State Abington community. During her career, Caruso has served as chair of the Faculty Senate as well as chair and member of numerous committees.

Lothar Redlin, professor of mathematics, received the Faculty Senate Outstanding Teaching Award. Redlin was recognized by his faculty colleagues for his commitment to teaching and his students.

G. Steven McMillian, assistant professor of business, received the Faculty Senate Scholar Award. His faculty colleagues recognized him for his research, teaching and work with Abington College Undergraduate Research Activities. McMillian also was honored at the spring commencement exercises by the 2002 graduating class for his contributions to student life.

Arts and Architecture
honors 3 faculty

The College of Arts and Architecture has named Sam Dennis, assistant professor of landscape architecture; Annie McGregor, associate professor of theatre arts; and Jeanne Chenault Porter, associate professor of art history, as recipients of the 2002 Outstanding Teaching Award.

Dennis teaches the undergraduate landscape architecture design studio sequence, writing-intensive courses and graduate studios. He has incorporated service-learning projects into his writing courses and serves as coordinator of the bachelor of landscape architecture/master of landscape architecture integrated program. Dennis also serves as an ambassador for visiting prospective students and is a faculty mentor in the Arts and Architecture Interest House in Leete Hall. A graduate student in the bachelor of landscape architecture/master of landscape architecture degree program nominated Dennis for the Outstanding Teaching Award.

McGregor, who also was honored with the 2002 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching, teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the theatre arts program. She teaches Theatre 100, one of the most popular general education courses on the University Park campus, and is responsible for the School of Theatre's graduate-level dramatic literature sequence. A faculty colleague nominated McGregor for the Outstanding Teaching Award. McGregor joined the theatre faculty in 1996.

Porter teaches Italian, Spanish and French Baroque art. She also supervises theses in 20th-century American art. Alumnus Michael Tomor, president of the Arts and Architecture Alumni Society, nominated Porter for this award.

Lehigh Valley names
recipient of advising award

Peter Behrens, assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Lehigh Valley, received the Lehigh Valley Campus Advising Excellence Award at the 16th annual Honors Convocation held recently at the campus.

The award recognizes the importance of the support, mentorship and guidance provided by faculty advisers during the educational experience. Behrens was recognized for showing dedication and commitment to the future of Lehigh Valley students.

In addition to teaching a variety of psychology and related courses, he has served as the campus career counselor and the campus ombudsman. Behrens served as the 1996-1997 chair of the Lehigh Valley campus Faculty Senate and as the dean's representative for the College of Education.

Communications
recognizes 3 for excellence

Three College of Communications staff members have been honored with annual Deans' Excellence Awards.

The award recipients are Kristen Fortney, manager of alumni relations and special events; Jamey Perry, admissions counselor; and Jeremy Wright, network coordinator.

Fortney was honored for her work in alumni relations. She increased the visibility of the college through events such as the annual Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic and by coordinating regular visits with alumni in places such as Los Angeles, New York and Pittsburgh. Fortney also coordinates regular student seminars, serves as a liaison with all three alumni interest groups associated with the college and produces regular alumni newsletters.

Perry received the award in recognition of his outstanding advising and his role as a "cheerleader" for the college. Perry often goes beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of students. For example, he recently offered to travel to Philadelphia to proctor tests for a student who was seriously injured in an accident.

Wright was recognized for his dedication to the needs of students and the faculty. He brought the digital photography laboratory online, assisted students and faculty in the digital video editing laboratory and trained participants in the Multicultural High School Journalism Summer Workshop. He also took a lead role in the three-year strategic computer plan for the college and served as the "go-to person" for information technology emergencies.

First Spira Teaching
Award goes to Haworth

Daniel Haworth, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is the first recipient of the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering's Joel and Ruth Spira Teaching Award.

Haworth was recognized for his work as faculty adviser for the FutureTruck project. The U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored project is a national competition to redesign a sports utility vehicle (SUV) to improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing the advantages of an SUV. The University program was founded and directed by Donald Streit, professor of mechanical engineering, who died suddenly last year. Haworth was asked to step in and direct the FutureTruck project, along with the courses associated with it.

The Joel and Ruth Spira Award was established with an endowment by the Lutron Foundation in honor of the company's founders. The award recognizes individuals who excel in teaching and inspiring students. A second Spira Award also was created in the College's Department of Electrical Engineering by Lutron.

Penn College faculty,
staff win accolades

A number of faculty and staff were honored recently by the Pennsylvania College of Technology during award ceremonies.

The Master Teacher Award, the highest level of recognition accorded to a faculty member, was presented to Dale A. Metzker, associate professor of printing and publishing, who is retiring after a 39-year career.

The college presented Excellence in Teaching Awards to Kenneth C. Kuhns, assistant professor of electrical technology/occupations; and Denise S. Leete, associate professor of computer science.

The Distinguished Staff and Part-Time Teaching Excellence awards were presented at a ceremony that also honored retirees and the newest members of the college's Quarter-Century Club.

The Distinguished Staff Awards went to J. Elliott Strickland Jr., director of student activities; Arlene Deppen, secretary to the dean of integrated studies; and Bernard A. Kahn IV, toolroom/lumberyard attendant and carpenter.

The Part-Time Teaching Excellence Awards went to James M. Pagana, instructor of geology; and Leita Faye Clark, instructor of occupational therapy assistant.

Quarter-Century Club members honored were: Lawrence W. Emery Jr., counselor/instructor; Beatrice E. Hilliard, secretary to the associate vice president of academic affairs; Linda M. Morris, director of human resources: employment/equal employment opportunity; and Melvin Keith Wynn, assistant professor of electrical technology/occupations.

Retiring employees were: Alex Bailey, professor of business administration; Franklin P. Beatty III, associate professor of plumbing and heating; Rosemary Clokey, secretary to the assistant dean of integrated studies; Carl M. Hillyard, instructor of building construction technology; Dale A. Metzker, associate professor of printing and publishing; Minnie Pantano, food services worker; Florence A. Sayman, student loan clerk; Ronald E. Thompson, professor of biology; and Harold Urich, North Campus custodian.

Public Broadcasting
honors staff with awards

Penn State Public Broadcasting celebrated outstanding accomplishments by staff members during its annual awards program.

Awards presented were:

* Teamwork Award: staff assistants Tammy Hahn, Belinda Tyson, Pat Johnson, Deb Rogers, Nancy Eckenroth and Roberta Stover, and administrative assistant Brenna Swires, for creation of the new employee checklist.

* Cents-Ability Award: Sue Powell, associate director of development, for creating a new standard of professional outreach in donor services and satisfaction.

* Customer Service Award: Nancy Eckenroth, staff assistant, for arranging the White House trip for the "What's in the News" staff and student essay winners from across the country.

* Volunteer Award: Mel DeYoung, folk coordinator, for developing the folk music programming guidelines and an online folk CD-ROM database for WPSU-FM.

* Community Service Award: C. Roy Parker, cinematographer/videographer, for his work with the youth of the area in The Arc of Centre County and as a mentor for the Friends Fitness program for the Second Mile.

* Diversity Award: Ted Krichels, assistant vice president for outreach and general manager, for fostering an atmosphere of acceptance, being open to issues of diversity and being an example of those ideals.

* Quality Achievement Award: Ajamil Calloway, program specialist with "What's in the News," for the development of the KidsTimes.org online newsletter for "What's in the News."

* Creativity/Innovation Award: C. Roy Parker, for his work as a videographer, graphic artist and video editor.

* Venture Award: Betsy Hutton, producer/director, for forging new partnerships within the University community and across the country and setting an example for strengthening the future of both "What's in the News" and Penn State Public Broadcasting.

* SAM (Staff Assistant Members) Award, chosen by members of the staff assistants group: Bernie Samansky, maintenance/operations, for his creativity, ingenuity, dependability and assistance.

* Outstanding Employee Award: Belinda Tyson, staff assistant, for unfailing kindness, generosity and willingness to help solve any financial tangle in any department at any time.

* General Manager's Award: "What's in the News" team -- Betsy Hutton, producer/director; Katie O'Toole, producer/writer and host; Bethany Sefchick, associate producer; Ajamil Calloway, program specialist; Nancy Eckenroth, staff assistant; C. Roy Parker, cinematographer/videographer; and Carmen Frost, host and associate producer.

Schreyer recognizes
2 faculty for excellence

The Schreyer Honors College recognized two outstanding faculty members, John Franceschina and John Russell Ezzell, with awards at a medals ceremony.

Franceschina, recipient of the Schreyer Honors College Excellence in Advising Award, has served as an honors adviser for four years. He is professor of theatre in the College of Arts and Architecture. Franceschina joined the faculty in 1997 and teaches courses in theatre history, musical theatre history and theatre criticism.

Ezzell, recipient of the Schreyer Honors College Excellence in Teaching Award, is a professor of finance in The Smeal College of Business Administration. Ezzell created and taught an honors research methods course in finance taken by Schreyer Scholars writing honors theses and by master's students. Ezzell has advised 40 honors theses in the past two years alone.

Wilkes-Barre campus
presents Hayfield Awards

Mary E. Hines, campus executive officer at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, recently presented the campus Hayfield Awards, which honor outstanding citizens of the campus and community.

Lynda Goldstein, associate professor of English, received the Campus Service Award. Goldstein wrote and revised the program proposal that helped bring the new letters, arts and sciences baccalaureate degree to the Wilkes-Barre campus. In addition, she developed the Humanipalooza, a service learning project for her English class.

The Fran Brown Humanitarian Award was presented to Cathy Fauerbach, staff assistant in Financial Services. This award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution, beyond normal job responsibilities, to humanizing life within the campus.

The Professional Development Award was given to Thomas Seybert, assistant professor of surveying, and Albert Lozano, assistant professor of engineering. This award is presented to those who have received significant recognition from external colleagues in his/her field.

Joan Bush, Margie Esopi and Jacqueline Warnick-Piatt earned the Innovation Award, which is given to a person or team who has made a significant contribution to the campus through innovation by initiating a new program, activity or service. This team successfully held the first Conference for Collegiate Women in March.

Commonwealth College
announces annual awards

Twenty-eight Commonwealth College awards for excellence were presented to faculty and staff members during the 2001-2002 year, according to Dean Diane M. Disney.

Awardees include:

* William Hamilton, assistant professor of biology, New Kensington, Excellence in Academic Integration;

* Ross Kester, senior instructor in mechanical engineering technology, DuBois, Excellence in Academic Advising;

* Stephen Cimbala, distinguished professor of political science, Delaware County, Distinguished Faculty Service or Outreach;

* David Clippinger, assistant professor of English, Beaver, Excellence in Teaching;

* Daniel Lee, assistant professor of sociology, DuBois, Excellence in Teaching;

* John Terrell, senior instructor of accounting, Delaware County, Excellence in Teaching;

* Lee Vercoe, senior instructor in computer science, McKeesport, Excellence in Teaching;

* Javier Gomez-Calderon, professor of mathematics, New Kensington, Outstanding Research or Creative Accomplishment;

* Arshad Khan, professor of chemistry, DuBois, Outstanding Research or Creative Accomplishment;

* Grace Stanford, associate professor of education, Delaware County, Outstanding Service to Students;

* Diane Gigliotti, tech prep coordinator, DuBois, Outstanding Community Outreach;

* Lynn Petko, instructor of English, Fayette, Outstanding Community Outreach;

* Eugene Boman, assistant professor of mathematics; Richard Brazier, assistant professor of mathematics; Larry Forthun, assistant professor of human development and family studies; Deborah Gill, assistant professor of Spanish; Robin Gill, instructional development specialist; Brian Hart, manager of computer and information systems; Daniel Lee, assistant professor of sociology; Ben Park, assistant professor of human development and family studies; Jack Spillan, assistant professor of business administration, DuBois, Award for Innovation;

* Susan Waitkus, senior instructor in English, DuBois, Award for Diversity;

* Rachel Lehr, library assistant, York, Award for Outstanding Support Staff;

* Renee Zaborowski, staff assistant in the Registrar's Office, Mont Alto, Award for Outstanding Support Staff;

* Janet Rosenbaum, assistant director of continuing education, Wilkes-Barre, Award for Outstanding Staff;

* Dwayne Hilton, director of Student Affairs, Hazleton, Award for Outstanding College Administrator;

* Robin Gill, instructional development specialist, DuBois, Jack P. Royer Award for Active and Collaborative Learning;

* Michael Marcus, assistant professor of engineering, York, Jack P. Royer Award for Active and Collaborative Learning; and

* Linda Shoop, associate professor of educational psychology, New Kensington, Jack P Royer Award for Active and Collaborative Learning.

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