March 17, 2009 issue
EMU to honors its best and brightest during Salute to Excellence Week

By Heather Hamilton

 

Eastern Michigan University takes time to honor its best and brightest students, faculty and staff at its annual Salute to Excellence Week, March 23-30.

The 11th Annual Graduate Research Fair kicks off the Salute to Excellence Week Monday, March 23. The Graduate Research Fair showcases outstanding research and creative projects by EMU graduate students. Presentations or poster/display sessions may include: dissertation research, thesis research, independent study projects, capstone experiences or special projects; examples of art, music and theatrical performances; and outcomes from practicum and internship experiences.

GRADUATE RESEARCH: Approximately 216 graduate students will present at the 11th Annual Graduate Research Fair, scheduled Monday, March 23. The event kicks off EMU's annual Salute to Excellence Week.

Graduate School Interim Dean Deb deLaski-Smith said that 216 students will participate in the event. When the Graduate Research Fair began 11 years ago, 50 students presented. Every college and a vast majority of the departments will be represented. She also said that the Fair gives many students the opportunity to practice their presentations before presenting at larger conferences.

"The students are sharing their findings, sometimes, with people not in their discipline. It challenges the students to carefully articulate the meaning and the relevance of their work. The audience is not discipline specific. It's the entire University," said deLaski-Smith.

A luncheon is scheduled for 11:45 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. Students who have received scholarships throughout the year will be honored. New awards also will be presented. Oral and poster presentations are scheduled 1-5:30 p.m. and take place throughout the Student Center.

Norman Hord, an assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Michigan State University, is the Sigma Xi keynote speaker. Hord will present, "Dietary Guide to Prevent Cancer," at 6 p.m., in the Student Center Auditorium. For more information, call 487-0042.

The Employee Service Recognition Breakfast is scheduled Tuesday, March 24, 8:30 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. The breakfast begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the program at 9 a.m. Retirees and employees of EMU will be recognized for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service. Each honoree will receive a brochure from which to order an individual gift. For more information, contact Jeanette Hassan at 487-3195.

The Student Gold Medallion Awards are set for Tuesday, March 24, 3:30 p.m., in the Student Center Grand Ballroom. The Student Gold Medallion Awards honor students who exemplify the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management's commitment to service and leadership. The ceremony honors students who have made significant, ongoing contributions to the success of divisional programs, activities or services. Award categories include student ambassador, leadership, mentorship, student employee performance, graduate assistant performance, service delivery, advocacy and volunteerism. The Gold Medallion is the most prestigious award presented by the Division of Student Affairs. For more information, contact Cathie McClure at 487-2390.

TOP TEACHERS: Distinguished Faculty Award winners from 2008's Celebration of Faculty Excellence pose with their plaques.

The Celebration of Faculty Excellence Awards will be presented Wednesday, March 25, 3 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. A reception with hors d'oeuvres will follow the ceremony. The Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Awards are the highlight of the awards ceremony. This is the highest award that any faculty member can earn from Eastern Michigan University. Awards will be presented in the categories of Teaching I (0-4 years of teaching), Teaching II (five or more years), Creative Activity, Research I (0-4 years of teaching), Research II (five or more years) and Service to the University. In addition, faculty who have received sabbatical leaves, scholarly and artistic recognition awards, Academic Service-Learning fellowships, and Provost's Research awards for new faculty also will be recognized. For more information, contact Akosua Dow at 487-0889.

The Founders Day Breakfast/Staff Gold Medallion Awards is scheduled Thursday, March 26, 8:15-10:30 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. This program honors persons or groups who have made significant, ongoing contributions to the success of divisional programs, activities or services. For more information, contact Cathie McClure at 487-2390.

THEY'RE GOLDEN: Eastern Michigan University staff who received Gold Medallion awards in 2008 are all smiles. This year's Founder's Day Breakfast/Staff Gold Medallion Awards is scheduled Thursday, March 26, 8:15-10:30 a.m., in the Student Center Ballroom.

"To receive the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management's Gold Medallion Award is a very high honor for staff, students and others in our community because it recognizes outstanding service and achievement. In essence, it means that your colleagues and peers believe that you have provided services or programs that have made significant, positive contributions to the University, to the division and, most importantly, to the lives of our students at EMU," said Bernice Lindke, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management at EMU.

The College of Education's Celebration of Excellence is scheduled Thursday, March 26, Student Center Ballroom. A reception with light refreshments begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by the program at 4 p.m. This event honors students from various fields of the COE. This event is by invitation only. For more information, contact Casey Wooster at 487-1414.

The Undergraduate Symposium is scheduled Friday, March 27, 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at various locations in the Student Center. This one-day program recognizes and celebrates the exceptional academic work of EMU undergraduate students. All colleges and the majority of departments will be involved. The College of Arts and Sciences hosts this event. It is free and open to the public.

SYMPOSIUM SYNOPSIS: Senior art major Matthew O'Brien (above, right) prepares his wood pieces for display at the 29th Undergraduate Symposium. His faculty sponsor, John DeHoog, also is pictured.

"EMU's Undergraduate Symposium is the first of its kind in the nation. This being our 29th Symposium, it's hard for me to fully grasp the growth of EMU's Undergraduate Symposium. This year, some 340 EMU undergraduate students mentored by some 180 faculty will be presenting. In our first year, 17 students and 19 faculty participated," said Dennis Beagen, department head of communication, media and theatre arts, and Symposium event chair. "The Undergraduate Symposium epitomizes the best of EMU; that special mentoring relationship between student and faculty. I am always amazed at the quality of student work displayed and presented at the Symposium. Each year, it gets better and better."

Arthur Benjamin, a professor of mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in California, will be the keynote speaker. He will speak during the Symposium luncheon, scheduled 1-2:30 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom. At press time, no keynote topic was available. Tickets are required to attend the luncheon. For more information, contact Wendy Kivi at 487-3198.

Faculty and tutors who have helped Holman Learning Center make a difference in the lives of students this past year will be honored during the Ninth Annual Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day, Monday, March 30, 2:30 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom.

Faculty, lecturer, tutor and supplemental instructional leader awards will be 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. For more information, call 487-2133.