 |
| |
| |
The University of Akron saluted a number of outstanding individuals at awards festivities as the 2002-03 academic year drew to a close this spring.
Kathleen Ross-Alaolmolki, associate professor of nursing, was recognized with the 2003 Outstanding Teacher Award while Outstanding Researcher Awards went to Shelley Baranowski, professor of history, and Paul C.D. Han, the Benjamin Franklin Goodrich Endowed Professor of Polymer Engineering.
Antonio Quesada, professor of mathematics, was recognized with the Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Award. Nick Frankovits, senior lecturer in the Department of Geology, was recognized with the Outstanding Teacher/Part-Time Award.
Kathleen Ross-Alaolmolki, winner of the Outstanding Teacher Award, was recognized for her nursing expertise as well as being “a technological innovator with the courage to take risks in order to meet her course objectives in the best way possible.”
Since joining UA in 1990, Ross-Alaolmolki has become the creative designer for the College of Nursing’s Web site, and developed a series of tutorials so faculty members could design Web-based and Web-enhanced courses. She also serves as co-chair of the Doctorate Curriculum Planning and Development Committee for the Joint Doctorate in Nursing Program, a collaborative effort with Kent State University.
Outstanding Researcher Shelley Baranowski, who has been at the University since 1989, researches the social, religious and cultural aspects of the Third Reich. She is the author of four books, including “The Confessing Church, Conservative Elites, and the Nazi State” and is currently working on a book project about tourism and leisure in the Third Reich, for which she received a National Endowment for Humanities grant.
Earlier this spring, Baranowski received the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences award for research, as well as the department chair award.
Paul Han, also an Outstanding Researcher Award recipient, is known worldwide for his research in polymer rheology and polymer processing. His scientific contributions have been noted in the areas of polymer melt rheology, polymer processing, chemorheology and processing of reactive polymer systems, and molecular aspects of complex polymer systems.
Han also has been awarded the Ho-Am Prize in Engineering in his native South Korea — the highest honor bestowed on a Korean engineer or scientist. Since joining UA in 1993, He has secured research grants totaling more than $2 million.
Outstanding Teacher-Scholar Antonio Quesada introduced the use of Cabri, a computer-based geometry system, in teaching the Concepts of Geometry course. Quesada, who joined UA in 1984, also works with the Akron Public Schools and the Summit Education Initiative to train teachers in the use of technology in the mathematics curriculum.
Nick Frankovits, the winner of the Outstanding Teacher/Part-Time Award, has taught Earth Science and Environmental Geology in the Department of Geology for more than 25 years. He also was honored with the Favorite Faculty Award in 2002. In 1991, Frankovits was one of the top three finalists for the Shell Award for Innovation and Excellence in Science Teaching.
In addition, 2003 Shared Leadership Awards were given to Capt. James Weber, University Police; and Sarah Thorley, coordinator of academic programs in the Department of Polymer Engineering.
Weber, a 15-year veteran, was appointed the position of interim chief in May 2002 after serving for many years as a sergeant at Wayne College. He spearheaded a new program for officers that changed the way the University Police protects the campus community.
|
|
| Kevin Butler, left, Holly Mothes and Anthony Serpette. |
 |
Thorley, who has been with the University since 1991, is considered a role model by co-workers who appreciate her “open and cooperative attitude with visitors, peers, faculty and students.”
The 2003 Ideas That Work Award went to the team that created a two-way online voting process for Staff Employee Advisory Committee elections. Team members Holly Mothes, manager of the Technical Learning Support Center; Kevin Butler, application systems analyst; and Anthony Serpette, Web developer, have a combined total of more than 40 years of University service among them.
| |
|
|
|
|
