Eastern Michigan University honors its best and brightest during its annual "Salute to Excellence" Week, March 24-31. The celebration showcases EMU's outstanding faculty, staff and students.
A schedule of the Week of Excellence events follows.
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MEDAL WINNER: Graduate student Emily
Wilson-Tobin proudly displays the Gerri Collins
Medal she was awarded at last year's Graduate
Research Fair. She is flanked by Don Loppnow,
EMU's executive vice president and provost;
and Deb deLaski-Smith, interim dean of the
Graduate School. |
The Graduate Research Fair kicks off EMU's annual Week of Excellence Monday, March 24. The Graduate Research Fair, now in its 10th year, showcases outstanding research and creative projects by EMU's graduate students. The fair will include 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.
Graduate School Interim Dean Deb deLaski-Smith, is pleased to have a record number of participants, 185, from every college and almost all of the departments. DeLaski-Smith said that students learn and gain valuable feedback when they present their research to students and faculty who are not familiar with their discipline.
"You are forced to carefully articulate in order to explain to people who don't understand your discipline. The ability to successfully break down the language so the everyday reader can understand is really how individuals succeed as a professional," she said.
Oral presentations begin at 9 a.m. and will take place throughout the Student Center. Poster presentations will be shown at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Lunch and an awards ceremony is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.
Jeanette Adams, a chemist from the Library of Congress, is the Sigma Xi keynote speaker. Adams will present, "Preserving the Nation's Cultural Heritage Through Chemistry: Analytical Materials Science at the Library of Congress," at 5:30 p.m., in the Student Center Auditorium. For more information, call 487-0042.
The Employee Service Recognition Breakfast is set for Tuesday, March 25, 8:30 a.m., Student Center Ballroom. The program begins at 8:30 a.m. with a breakfast. 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, call Jeanette Hassan at 487-3195.
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GOOD AS GOLD: These EMU students were Gold
Medallion Award nominees/winners during 2007.
This year's Student Gold Medallion Awards are
scheduled Tuesday, March 25, 3:30 p.m., Ballroom,
Student Center. |
The Student Gold Medallion Awards are scheduled Tuesday, March 25, 3:30 p.m., Student Center Grand Ballroom. The ceremony celebrates excellence and honors students 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. Award categories include student ambassador, advocacy, leadership, mentorship, student employee performance, volunteerism, graduate assistant performance and service delivery. The Gold Medallion is the most prestigious award presented by the Division of Student Affairs.
"These awards mean a lot to the students who win," said Mike Erwin, interim associate vice president of student affairs. "They give thank-you speeches and hugs, but what is most important is the recognition they get from their peers. That is who they care about the most."
For more information, call McClure at 487-2390.
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DISTINGUISHED COMPANY: These EMU faculty took
home the Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty
Awards last year. From left, Ann Orr, assistant
professor of special education(Teaching I Award);
Linda Lewis-White, professor of teacher education
(Teaching II Award); Gregg Barak, professor of
sociology, anthropology and criminology
(Scholarly/Creative Activity); and Jessica "Decky"
Alexander (Service to the University), associate
professor of communication and theatre arts. |
The Celebration of Faculty Excellence Awards will be presented Wednesday, March 26, 2:30-4 p.m., Student Center Ballroom. A reception with hors d'ouvres 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 the first time, a Faculty Colloquium will take place before the ceremony. This showcase will give faculty an opportunity to share their creative and scholarly work in a conference-like setting with the EMU community. Presentations and poster sessions will precede the faculty excellence awards.
For more information, call Akosua Slough at 487-0889.
The Founders Day Breakfast/Staff Gold Medallion Awards are scheduled Thursday, March 27, 8:15-10:30 a.m., Student Center Ballroom. This program honors persons or groups who have made significant, ongoing contributions to the success of divisional programs, activities or services.
"Winning a Gold Medallion is like winning an Academy Award," said Cathie McClure, executive secretary for the office of student affairs.
For more information, call Cathie McClure at 487-2390.
The College of Education Celebration of Excellence is scheduled Thursday, March 27, 3:30 p.m., Student Center Ballroom A. Light refreshments will be served before and after the program. This event honors students from various fields of the COE. This event is by invitation only. For information, call Amy Eastman 487-7120, extension 2543.
The Undergraduate Symposium is scheduled Friday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at various locations in the Student Center. This event is free and open to the public.
Approximately 300 students and 157 faculty sponsors will participate in the event. All colleges and the majority of departments will be involved.
"Students view this opportunity as one of the most significant extracurricular activities during their college experience. They get a chance to illustrate their success in a conference-like setting that prepares them for future career paths. This is an honor for students to participate in and I hope they leave feeling proud of what they've achieved," said Wendy Kivi, communication and theater arts event coordinator.
Neeta Delaney, president and CEO of ArtServe Michigan, will be the keynote speaker. She will speak during the Symposium luncheon, scheduled 1-2:30 p.m., in the Student Center Ballroom.
Faculty and tutors who have helped the Holman Learning Center make a difference in the lives of students this past year will be honored during the Eighth Annual Faculty and Tutor Appreciation Day, Monday, March 31, 3-5 p.m., Student Center Ballroom.
Faculty, lecturer, tutor and supplemental instruction 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.
Although it falls outside the realm of the weeklong celebration, the College of Business has its annual awards banquet Friday, April 11, 5:30-9 p.m., Student Center Ballroom. Students with high academics, scholarships and awards will be honored. Faculty awards are given for Outstanding Teaching, Outstanding Research and Outstanding Service. A Staff Achievement Award also will be given.
