Regional Campuses and Distance Education Faculty Awards Dinner

Utah State University Regional Campuses and Distance Education held an annual faculty awards dinner Tuesday, Aug, 11, and awards were presented to USU faculty, administrators and community leaders who have been influential over the past year.

 

 

This award is given to an administrator or faculty member in one or more of the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education (RCDE) programs for successfully creating, developing and implementing a program or policy that has significantly impacted RCDE. The Innovative Practices Award was given to Laura Foley and Vini Exton, both of the USU Uintah Basin, for their work in establishing an elementary education para-professional program in the Uintah Basin.

 

 

Each year the Vice Provost of Regional Campuses and Distance Education recognizes outstanding service and exceptional dedication to activities that have positively impacted RCDE. This year three individuals were recognized for extraordinary work in support of the RCDE mission statewide.

 

Recipients of the 2009 Vice Provost of RCDE Award include H. Scott Hinton, USU dean of Engineering, for his leadership and approval in the expansion of engineering programs at the Brigham City and Uintah Basin Regional Campuses. The award was also presented to Janna Hawkins and Jodi Bailey of the USU Auditing Office for their leadership during the past year’s internal audit of RCDE.

 

 

The partnership award is given to a business, organization or academic department that has provided direct and/or sustained support for one or more of the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education programs.

 

Gretchen Peacock, USU Psychology Department head, received the RCDE Partnership Award for her strong commitment to proactive distance education degree planning and her interest in non-traditional adult learners.

 

 

This award is given to an individual, group or organization in recognition of exceptional contributions and efforts that have positively impacted USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education.

 

Mayor Patrick Dunlavy of Tooele, Utah, received the Friends of RCDE Award in recognition of the donation of 30 acres for the establishment of a future USU Tooele Regional Campus complex. He is a visionary leader who recognizes the importance of higher education in Tooele City and the positive impact it can have on the community.

 

 

This award is given to the individual who has distinguished himself or herself as a program developer or planner for a minimum of five years and has demonstrated a high degree of dedication, expertise and professionalism through the creation of one or more USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education programs.

 

The Program Development/Planning Award was given to Andy Shinkle, executive director of the Brigham City Regional Campus, for his work in building the pre-engineering program in Brigham City.

 

 

This award is given for teaching excellence in one or more courses as part of a USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education program.

 

Nathan Straight, assistant professor of English, received the Teacher of the Year Award for his accessibility and willingness to accommodate the needs of his students. His nomination letter stated that “the combination of intelligence and wit he displays in the classroom keeps students engaged even when attending from distant locations.”

 

 

The Researcher/Scholar of the year is an individual who has distinguished himself or herself through evidence of research/scholarship while serving as an administrator or faculty member in one or more of the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education programs.

 

The Researcher/Scholar of the Year Award was given to Christopher Johnson, assistant professor of psychology, for his work with undergraduate researchers, two of whom recently presented at an international conference. He has also received an URCO grant to continue his research work with undergraduates.

 

 

This award is given to an individual who is serving or has served as an administrator or faculty member in one or more of the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education programs and recognizes outstanding service and efforts that have positively impacted RCDE.

 

Robert Wagner, associate vice provost and executive director of distance education, received the Taggart/Ballard Award of Excellence for his outstanding leadership in developing web-based courses and developing programs for delivery via Interactive Broadcast.

 

 

The Outstanding Service Award is presented to an individual who has distinguished himself or herself by providing outstanding service in the community or to the university for a minimum of five years and has demonstrated a high degree of dedication and expertise and professionalism while serving as an administrator or faculty member in one or more of the USU Regional Campuses and Distance Education programs.

 

The 2009 recipients of the Outstanding Service Award are Sam Sturman, director of the USU Moab Center, and Jim Barta, associate department head of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

 

 

Writer: Kristen Weller, 435-283-7584, kristen.weller@usu.edu