March 31, 2009 issue
EMU recognizes excellence of employees, students

By Ron Podell

 

Eastern Michigan University recognized excellence throughout campus last week, honoring its faculty, staff and students during the University's annual "Salute to Excellence Week."

The awards ceremonies, which ran from March 23-27, included the Graduate Research Fair Awards; the Human Resources Employee Recognition Awards (for years of service to EMU); Student Gold Medallion Awards; the Celebration of Faculty Excellence Awards, which included the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards; the College of Education Salute to Excellence; the Undergraduate Symposium and Holman Learning Center's Faculty Tutor Appreciation Day.

"Teaching is valued here as well as scholarship," said EMU President Susan Martin, at the 32nd Annual Celebration Faculty Excellence Award March 26. "I'm very pleased with and proud of you. You should be very proud of yourselves ... "

DISTINGUISHED COMPANY: Winners of the 2009 Distinguished Faculty Awards are (from left) Sheila Sasser, David Kass, Barry Pyle, Christine Hume and Linda Adler-Kassner. Brigid Beaubien is not pictured.

Six Distinguished Faculty Awards — the University's most prestigious for faculty and renamed eight years ago to honor the late, former provost Ron Collins — were handed out at the Celebration of Faculty Excellence event March 25.

Brigid Beaubien, assistant professor of teacher education, took home the Teaching I honor and Barry Pyle, associate professor of political science, won the Teaching II Award. Sheila Sasser, assistant professor of marketing, garnered the Research I Award while David Kass, a professor of biology, grabbed the Research II Award. Linda Adler-Kassner, professor of English language and literature, won the Service to the University Award. Christine Hume, associate professor of English language and literature, received the Scholarly/Creative Activity Award.

The winners, each of which were introduced by former Distinguished Faculty Award winners, talked of teaching inspirations, their students and those at EMU who have helped them along the way. Some even became a little emotional.

"When I was student teaching here 20 years ago, I never thought the school where I learned how to teach would be honoring me," Beaubien said.

She called her award "a full-circle moment" and credited her relationships with EMU professors then for making her the teacher she is today.

When reaching the podium to speak, Pyle said he was "prone to fainting when I do these types of things." He recalled his years — after graduating from law school — of wandering and searching for purpose and meaning. He eventually found that purpose and meaning in teaching at EMU.

"The service and care of others is the greatest of all pursuits," said Pyle.

Like Pyle, Kass admitted he was not accustomed to winning awards. He thanked his fellow faculty for giving him a boost after every grant rejection and his wife for having more confidence in him than he has in himself.

"My parents did not go to college, but they pushed education," Kass recalled. "My mother was so proud when I became Dr. Kass. I wish she could be here to enjoy this moment."

Sasser, who has published four journal articles and has had 11 papers accepted for presentations in the past 2 1/2 years, thanked EMU for supporting her research.

"I get high-fived in the hallway. Having people genuinely happy for your success makes it all worthwhile," Sasser said.  

Hume thanked EMU for allowing an environment for her "attempts at linguistic wandering."

"I'm grateful for being acknowledged when poetry is one of the most invisible of the arts," Hume said.

Adler-Kassner, director of the University Writing Center and creator of the Celebration of Student Writing event, received the Service to the University Award, but said the honor did not come without help and support.

"Like the Verizon group, I've got a big network," she said, referencing the Verizon Wireless commercials.

Each winner received a plaque and a $3,500 honorarium.

Office of Academic-Service Learning Fellows, Sabbatical Leave recipients, Provost's New Faculty Research Awards and Faculty/Scholarly Artistic Recognition Awards also were announced.

Gold Medallion Awards

The Gold Medallion Awards celebrated its 27th anniversary March 26, with emcees Lou Gianino and Kathy Orscheln providing a light, fun tone to the proceedings. Since 1982, the Gold Medallion Awards have honored persons or groups who have made significant contributions to the success of programs, activities or services within the Division of Student Affairs.

GOOD AS GOLD: Gold Medallion winners with the Division of Student Affairs pose with their hardware. Awards were presented in 11 categories at the Founder's Day/Gold Medallon Awards breakfast ceremony in the Student Center.

"Today, we celebrate employees who are on the front lines of enrollment, admissions and student affairs," said Bernice Lindke, interim vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. "...To make a positive difference in the lives of our students is the hallmark of our division."

In addition to the awarding of the traditional gold medallions, a new concept of a traveling trophy was introduced. Each winner received a traveling trophy, on which his or her name and award will be inscribed. Winners can display the trophies for one year, but must return them for next year's Gold Medallion Awards ceremony when the trophies will be distributed to new winners.

Awards were presented in 11 categories at this year's Founder's Day breakfast ceremony. Faculty and staff Gold Medallion honorees were Esther Gunel, Office of International Students (administrative professional); Stephanie Tandy, counseling services (clerical/secretarial);Tamara Miller, University Apartments (professional/technical);Robert "B.J." Stork, custodian, Buell Hall (FS/maintenance/custodial); David Varney, physical plant, maintenance/custodial and COB (person/group external to the division);John Dudley, swimming/Jones Pool (person/group external to the University);Amy Simonson, ACD housing (new employee);Kristen Smith, Service EMU (retention); B.J. Selfridge and Tom Kasper, admissions (innovation);Lanh Tran, admissions (outstanding service delivery by an individual); and financial aid and collections, financial aid and student business services (outstanding service delivery by a group or team. No faculty lecturer or divisional ambassador awards were presented this year.

Gunel and Miller were particularly touched, saying they started at EMU as students.

"This is the place I grew up. I enjoy this place every single year," Gunel said.

"Like Esther, I started as a student here," Miller said. "It's an award you like to win as an employee, as well as a student."

In addition Faculty/Lecturer Appreciation Awards were handed out to Karen Saules, psychology clinic; Kelly Victor-Burke, geology and geography; Susan Booth, communication, media & theatre arts; Ted Ligibel, historic preservation; and Yen-ling-Chou Von Meister, foreign languages.

Service awards were given to Mildred Williams (40 years), and Judith Massengill and Glenna Frank Miller (35 years). Charles Fulford, Becky Kramer, Yolanda Patterson, Alberto Perales, Mary Stark and Sherry Winterson received gold service awards, which denote 30 years of service. Silver service awards, presented for 25 years of service, went to Donald Fiorina, Susan Gardner, Cynthia Jones, Marcelo Marandino, Ramona Milligan and Donna Schubert .

Decades of Dedication

Approximately 240 EMU employees were recognized for their years of service to the University at the "Decades of Dedication" Employee Recognition Awards March 24 in the Student Center Ballroom.

FORTY YEARS: Mildred Williams, a cook in Dining Services, receives congratulations from EMU President Susan Martin during the "Decades of Dedication" Employee Recognition Breakfast. Williams was recognized for 40 years of service to EMU.

"Today, we are measuring our colleagues' contributions by the number of years they have worked individually at EMU," said Art Timko, general manager/director of WEMU 89.1 and the event's emcee. "But, this is more than just time spent on the job. Look around this room. The sum of these hundreds of careers is much greater than any total years of service."

The award honors EMU employees who have provided 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service to EMU. Paul Bruss, Raymond Cryderman, Dennis Delprato, David Geherin, Donovan Hahlbrock, Andrew Nazzaro, Donald Pearson, Mohammad Sabki, John Smith and Mildred Williams were recognized for their 40-year contributions. Another 11 EMU employees received kudos for contributing 35 years of service to the University.

As some of the 40-year-honorees approached the stage, Sally McCracken, one of the event's presenters, cracked, "Now, we're in my class." McCracken, a professor of communication, media and theatre arts, came to EMU in 1969.

Eastern Michigan University President Susan Martin commended the honorees for their commitment and dedication to EMU, and added that EMU provides a large campus atmosphere with a welcoming feel.

"I think that's why we stick and stay. I really think we are one big family," said Martin, who shared with the group that it is her goal to stay at EMU long enough to receive her 10-year service award.

Student Gold Medallion Awards

Student Gold Medallion recipients also were recognized March 24. The Student Gold Medallion Awards program, which began in 1996 as a separate event, honors student leaders who have made significant leadership and community service contributions within the Division of Student Affairs, as well as student organizations and student organization advisers who have made a positive impact on the University.

GOLDEN STUDENTS: Eastern Michigan University students were recognized in 13 categories at the Student Gold Medallion Awards. The event honored student leaders who have made significant leadership and community service contributions.

"You make EMU and Ypsilanti a better environment for everyone," Martin told the crowd of predominantly students.

Those individuals and organizations honored, and their respective categories are: James Grinias (Goodwill Ambassador), Ji-Hae Byun (Outstanding Leadership by a Student), Jasmine Lee (Outstanding Mentorship by a Student), Emily Barba (Outstanding Performance by a Graduate Assistant), Ben Hancock III (Outstanding Performance by a Graduate Student Employee), Jennifer A. White (Outstanding Performance by a Student Employee), Erin Sullivan (Outstanding Service Delivery by a Student), Lauren Allmayer (Outstanding Student Advocate), Joanna Abeli (Outstanding Volunteerism by a Student), Chris Haliwill (Outstanding Leadership of a Student Organization), Alpha Phi Omega (Student Organization), Lori Burlingame (Student Organization Adviser) and Green Week (Student Organization Program).

Many of the honored students made heartfelt comments.

"This is a really good way to wind up my career," Grinias said.

"I just want to thank everyone at the Rec," White said. "It's my second home. I spend more time there than my real home."

Graduate Research Fair

During the Graduate Research Fair award ceremonies March 23, Amber King was awarded the Ronald W. Collins Medal for Excellence, which honors a graduate student for outstanding research or scholarly contributions to their discipline or department. Meriah Sage won the Gerri Collins Medal, which is awarded to a graduate assistant who has demonstrated extraordinary service contributions to the department, school, office and community.

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE: Graduate student Meriah Sage proudly displayed her Gerri Collins Award for Excellence, which is awarded to a graduate assistant who has demonstrated extraordinary service contributions to the department, school, office and community. Sage is flanked by Deb deLaski-Smith, interim dean of the Graduate School, and Don Loppnow, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The Graduate Research Fair, now in its 11th year, showcases outstanding research and creative projects by EMU's graduate students. The fair included oral presentations or poster/display sessions of: dissertation research, thesis research, independent study projects, capstone experiences or special projects, examples of art and music, and outcomes from practicum and internship experience.

Approximately 212 graduate students participated with the help of 104 faculty sponsors. There were 119 oral presentation and 61 poster presentations.

Megan Avram and Valentina Ivezaj received the Graduate Dean's Award for Research Excellence. Outstanding Graduate Research Fair Awards went to Adam Sheaffer (arts and humanities); Erin Gallagher (social science/business); David Lubke (natural science/math/technology); and Audrey Sarnacki (education). Marlena Bravender and Stuart Robinson were bestowed Brower Scholarships.  

Other winners included: Ruth Bardenstein, Helen Bunch, Meghna Chauhan and Eddie Watkins, Art Awards; Meriah Sage and Jenny Sawtelle-Koppera, Theatre Arts Awards; and Sara Williams, Writing Award. Winners of the Music Award have yet to be announced.

Undergraduate Symposium

BEAUTIFUL MUSIC: Samuel David Joshua plays "Danzas Argentinas, Op. No. 2" by Alberto Evaristo Ginastera during the Undergraduate Symposium.

The Undergraduate Symposium, now in its 29th year, took place March 27 in the Student Center. Approximately 333 students from across all disciplines presented their research and creative projects through 190 oral presentations and 81 poster displays. Their work was supported by 185 faculty sponsors.

The grand finale

Faculty and tutors who have helped Holman Learning Center make a difference in the lives of students this past year were honored during the Eighth Annual Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day March 30 in the Student Center Ballroom.

Faculty, lecturer, tutor and supplemental instruction leader awards were presented. The Holman Learning Center provides supplemental instruction to students; tutors for a variety of subjects; skill-building workshops; testing accommodations; and has a first-year academic support program.