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TWU to recognize faculty at Honors Convocation
4/14/06
DENTON
— Texas Woman’s University will honor eight faculty
members in a celebration of excellence Thursday, April 20,
during Honors Convocation. Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. in
the Margo Jones Performance Hall, located at Oakland and Sawyer
streets on TWU’s Denton campus.
TWU faculty receiving
recognition are: Dr. Susan Chaney — the Cornaro Award;
Dr. Susan Sheriff — the Distinction in Teaching Award;
Dr. Carolyn Bednar and Dr. Frances Thompson — the Distinction
in Service Award; Dr. Rebecca Estes and Dr. David Rylander
— the Mary Mason Lyon Award; Regina Campbell —
the Humphries Award; and Dr. Russell Greer — the Distinction
in E-Learning Award.
The Cornaro
Award — Dr. Susan Chaney
The Cornaro Award
recognizes an outstanding faculty member for excellence in
teaching, scholarship and achievement. The award is named
in honor of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro de la Piscopia, the first
woman ever to receive a doctoral degree (University of Padua,
1678).
The 2006 recipient
is Dr. Susan Chaney professor of nursing and coordinator of
the nursing master’s degree program at the TWU Dallas-Parkland
campus.
A TWU alum, Dr.
Chaney is credited by her colleagues for the development and
success of the Family Nurse Practitioner program at TWU. She
is highly regarded by her graduate students, and, as one colleague
wrote, “uses a variety of teaching methodologies in
the classroom, visits students in the clinical area and spends
significant amounts of time mentoring them.”
In addition to her faculty and administrative role, Dr. Chaney
is active in the university community through her participation
on many TWU committees including the University Review Committee,
the University Faculty Grievance Committee and the University
Library and Media Services Committee. She also maintains a
part-time clinical practice as a family nurse practitioner
for Parkland Hospital’s Homeless Outreach Medical Services.
As another colleague
wrote, “Susan has a strong desire to give back to her
community. She has been a role model not only to her students,
but also to her colleagues in the nursing profession. Susan
has an unwavering dedication and endless energy to whatever
she endeavors, whether it is her clinical rotations, teaching
or volunteering in her professional organizations, community
and especially to TWU.”
The Distinction
in Teaching Award — Dr. Susan Sheriff
The Distinction
in Teaching Award is presented to TWU faculty who have distinguished
records of teaching and dedication to improving their teaching
and the learning of their students.
The 2006 recipient is Dr. Susan Sheriff, associate professor
of nursing at the TWU Dallas-Parkland campus.
Dr. Sheriff has
taught in the undergraduate and graduate nursing program at
TWU for more than 20 years and has been at the forefront in
developing online graduate nursing courses. She also was instrumental
in creating the simulation laboratory, where TWU undergraduate
students experience clinical situations through role play
and teaching by graduate students.
Colleagues credit
Dr. Sheriff’s “sensitivity to student needs”
for her role in developing the pilot project “Student
Self Sectioning,” which allows students to select their
clinical sections at locations that are convenient to their
situation. As a colleague wrote, “It was extremely successful
as evidenced by student evaluations rating the process a nine
on a scale of 10 and by the reduction of student add/drops
at the beginning of the semester from 28 to one.”
The colleague added,
“Students consistently evaluate her highly for both
her didactic and clinical teaching skills. She makes and extra
effort to ensure that all students are progressing and often
tutors students who need additional supportive learning activities
to succeed.”
Dr. Sheriff is
well respected and admired for her teaching skills. As another
colleague wrote, “Susan’s most valuable contribution
to teaching is her ability to reach and meet the learning
needs of the new generation of visual learners. She is a master
storyteller and provides a vivid verbal illustration of how
to apply concepts she teaches into nursing, and the students
are able to visualize the practice scenarios.”
This colleague
finished by writing, “Dr. Sheriff is a teacher with
the flexibility, intelligence and expertise to provide an
excellent role model for the students she influences as well
as the faculty who work with her.”
The Distinction
in Service Award
The Distinction
in Service Award is presented to TWU faculty who are developing
distinguished records of service to their component, the university,
their professional field of study and/or the community. There
are two recipients this year — Dr. Carolyn Bednar and
Dr. Frances Thompson.
Dr. Carolyn
Bednar
Dr. Bednar is a
professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food
Sciences. She has served TWU for more than 15 years, and as
one colleague noted, she is “truly a scholar and noted
teacher and she is most outstanding in the area of service
— to the university and the community at large.”
Dr. Bednar has
served on more than 30 academic, professional and administrative
committees at TWU and been a chair of many of them. For several
years she has coordinated the exchange program between TWU
students and students from the School of Public Health and
Nutrition at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (AUNL)
in Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Bednar has received national recognition
from the American Dietetic Association Foundation for her
many years of managing this international exchange program.
Dr. Bednar is recognized
nationally and at the state level for her excellent research
and her leadership skills. Later this spring she will be recognized
as the Texas Distinguished Scientist by the Texas Dietetic
Association.
Dr. Bednar is extremely
dedicated to her students. She is the faculty advisor of the
“Nutrition and Food Sciences Graduate Club” and,
as one of its student members wrote, “She is very instrumental
in helping us find competent presenters for the club owing
to the vast contacts that she maintains. She has often helped
the group ask questions and moreover asked questions that
we students were interested in, exhibiting her ability to
think from our perspective.”
A colleague wrote,
“Dr. Bednar is tireless in her efforts to maintain a
nationally recognized nutrition department and still goes
the extra mile to contribute to the university and the community.”
Dr. Frances
Thompson
Dr. Thompson is
a professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer
Science at TWU. She is the author of numerous publications,
including texts focused on activities for mathematics students
from elementary school through high school, articles in math
education journals and other instructional materials produced
for various venues, including state educational agencies.
A colleague wrote,
“Dr. Thompson’s expertise in mathematics education
is recognized throughout the state and she is frequently asked
to consult on relevant mathematics education issues.”
Another colleague said, “Dr. Thompson is an outstanding
example for other faculty members and provides the necessary
guidance and inspiration for younger members.”
Dr. Thompson’s
students also sing her praises. One wrote, “Dr. Thompson
introduced me to the concept that students learn differently
because of their learning styles. Her desire to ensure that
all students have the opportunity to learn is her motivation
for teaching future teachers methods to reach all learners.”
Another former student writes, “Dr. Frances has had
a tremendous impact on how I view math. Because of this, it
has had a domino effect on the teachers I have influenced
and on the students I have taught.”
As one nominator
put it, “The positive comments from her students are
numerous and consistently refer to her knowledge of mathematics,
as well as her patience, kindness and willingness to share
her considerable expertise as a teacher and a teacher of teachers.”
The Humphries
Award — Regina Campbell
The Humphries Award
for Dedication to TWU is presented to faculty who have, through
their loyalty and actions, proved to be a model to all and
a treasure to TWU. This year’s recipient of the award
is Regina Campbell, associate professor of occupational therapy
at TWU’s Dallas-Presbyterian campus.
Ms. Campbell is
in her 30th year with TWU, having shaped the minds of multiple
generations of occupational therapists. In addition to her
many years of teaching and other service to TWU, Ms. Campbell
has lent her influence to a number of professional organizations,
including the Texas Occupational Therapy Association and the
American Occupational Therapy Association.
One colleague wrote,
“Ms. Campbell exhibits boundless energy and unlimited
passion in fulfilling her roles which support the quality
of education, giving to the community and advancing the recognition
and reputation of the TWU School of Occupational Therapy.
Reggie has had numerous national and state leadership roles
and assumed them with an unswerving commitment.”
Another fellow
faculty added, “Through awards and acclamation, Regina
Campbell has been identified as a treasure by her students,
her community and her profession. We nominate her not only
for past accomplishments, but with the certainty that her
energies will continue to enrich TWU – her home for
30 years. Her commitment to the university is unfailing. She
is our treasure.”
Ms. Campbell’s
many awards and honors include The Virginia Chandler Dykes
Leadership Award and recognitions of service by the American
Occupational Therapy Association and the Texas Occupational
Therapy Association. In 1996, she received the high honor
of being named a Fellow by the American Occupational Therapy
Association, which marks the dedicated elite within the occupational
therapy profession. Ms. Campbell also has served as the chairperson
of TWU’s Fanny B Vanderkooi Endowed Lectureship Advisory
Board since 2001.
The Mary
Mason Lyon Award
The Mary Mason
Lyon Award is presented to faculty members who are developing
excellent records of teaching, research and service. Award
recipients this year are Dr. Rebecca Estes, assistant professor
in the School of Occupational Therapy, and Dr. David Rylander,
assistant professor of marketing.
Dr. Rebecca
Estes
Dr. Estes began
teaching at TWU in 2000. As one nominator wrote, “Since
that time she has shown outstanding commitment to teaching,
research and service to TWU. She initiated the development
of the Center of Assistive Technology (CAT) on the Denton
campus. Through the (center), Dr. Estes taught occupational
therapy students about the uses and benefits of technology
in fostering independence. Furthermore, through the CAT, Dr.
Estes developed community contacts that have benefited the
university in innumerable ways.”
Colleagues also
credit Dr. Estes with developing the Certificate of Occupational
Therapy (COTA) to Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Bridge Program. This program provides a way for practicing
occupational therapy assistants to further their careers by
obtaining a master’s degree in occupational therapy.
A colleague wrote, “Dr. Estes has dedicated huge amounts
of energy and time, including on weekends, to design and develop
courses and teach the students in this program.”
Dr. Estes also
is the co-coordinator of TWU’s Occupational Therapy
Ph.D. program. As a colleague notes, “She is providing
valuable insight and a wealth of knowledge to a well-respected
program.
Dr. Estes has demonstrated
a true commitment to teaching at TWU, which goes above and
beyond ordinary expectations.”
As one of her students said, “Dr. Estes definitely stands
out as an amazing professor. She strives to provide every
occupational therapy student with the needed information,
skills and clinical reasoning that is required for a successful
future.”
Dr. David
Rylander
Dr. Rylander came
to TWU in 2001 and is an assistant professor of marketing
in TWU’s nationally recognized School of Management.
One colleague wrote that Dr. Rylander is “endeared by
those he teaches.” Proof of this is the fact that the
MBA students awarded him their “2005 MBA Professor of
the Year” award and the undergraduate students have
nominated him for an “Outstanding Faculty Advisor”
award during TWU’s Redbud awards for the last several
years. Dr. Rylander was named an “Outstanding Faculty
Advisor” in 2004.
As a Sam Walton
Fellow, Dr. Rylander is a co-sponsor of TWU’s Students
in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team, which has received numerous
local, regional and national recognitions through their competitions.
Service to the university and community also is important
to Dr. Rylander. He served as the chair of the State Employee
Charity Campaign (SECC) in 2004 and is willing to help many
campus organizations with his ideas and marketing skills.
One colleague notes
that Dr. Rylander’s “research is exceptional.”
He has received many “best paper awards” and has
encouraged fellow faculty and students to work together on
research projects. Currently, he is working on a major research
project involving the car buying experiences and patterns
of women.
Another colleague
wrote, “Dr. Rylander is an example of a well rounded
professor with teaching, scholarship, research and service.
He excels in everything he does and is well liked by faculty,
staff and students.”
A former student
agrees. He wrote, “Dr. Rylander accepts nothing less
than the best from his students. He encourages his students
to think critically, to research current marketing practices,
to identify new marketing trends and to discover our potential
while competing in an increasingly global economy.”
Distinction
in E-Learning — Dr. Russell Greer
The Distinction
in E-Learning Award is a new award and is presented to faculty
who have made distinguished contributions to e-learning through
program or curriculum development or teaching. TWU’s
first recipient of this award is Dr. Russell Greer, associate
professor of English.
Dr. Greer has served
TWU since 1996 and is considered a pioneer and expert in developing
online courses. He was recently honored as an “Outstanding
E-Learning Professor” by the TWU’s Office of Lifelong
Learning — a testimony to his dedication and talent
as a teacher.
Dr. Greer has developed
and taught 12 different courses for 100 percent online delivery
and offers online components for 12 other face-to-face courses.
One colleague notes, “the teaching materials he creates
for students are rich with detailed information and go far
to reach students’ different learning styles.”
According to a
nominator, Dr. Greer “is the favorite teacher for most
of our students, and the student evaluations are proof of
the high regard students hold for his teaching.” Students
describe his classes as “fun, thought-provoking and
challenging” and see him as “brilliant, caring
and organized. That his classes fill up before anyone else’s
in the department is no surprise to any of his colleagues.”
Dr. Greer is not
only lauded for his teaching, but also is a leader in the
use of technology. He is a member of the university’s
Information Technology Committee and leads his department’s
technology committee. He offers workshops to fellow faculty
on topics such as plagiarism software and keeps them abreast
of the latest available technology. Dr. Greer also is leading
the effort in developing an online master of arts in literature.
He continues to go above and beyond by contributing to the
department’s website and maintaining the Blackboard
(TWU’s online degree teaching program) site for English
majors, “two services he offers us without being asked.”
One nominator summed
it up when she wrote, “He represents all that is excellent
about TWU and demonstrates the kind of teaching that we at
the university value, online and off.”
###
For Further
Information Contact:
Amanda McKeen Simpson
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: asimpson1@twu.edu |
