COLUMBUS -- Nineteen Ohio State University faculty have been honored this spring as recipients of the 2000 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Distinguished Scholar Award and the Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service. They received their awards at an April 25 reception and banquet.

The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching honors faculty members who have done a superior job of teaching. Recipients are nominated by students and colleagues, and are chosen by a committee of alumni, students and faculty. They receive a cash award of $3,000 and a $1,200 increase in their base salaries.

Teaching award recipients also are inducted into the Academy of Teaching, which provides leadership on improving teaching at Ohio State.

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes exceptional scholarly accomplishments by senior professors who have compiled a substantial body of research, as well as the work of younger faculty members who have demonstrated great scholarly potential.

Recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including several past recipients of the award. Distinguished Scholars receive a $3,000 honorarium and a $20,000 research grant to be used during the next three years.

The Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service honors faculty who have made extensive contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through nonadministrative roles. They are nominated by members of the university community and selected by a committee of faculty, administrators and previous recipients. They receive a $3,000 cash award and an increase of $1,200 to their base salaries.

The awards are supported by the offices of Academic Affairs and Research, The Ohio State University Alumni Association and private donations to the University.

Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching

Teaching award recipients are: Douglas A. Berman, Alan D. Beyerchen, Michael J. Boehm, Antionette Errante, Lisa C. Florman, Allison B. Gilmore, Howard P. Marvel, Paulette D. Pierce, R. Vladimir Steffel and Linn D. Van Woerkom.

Douglas A. Berman of DUBLIN

Assistant Professor

College of Law

Since arriving at Ohio State in 1997, Berman has become known for his caring, committed approach to working with students, particular those in their first year of law school. A magna cum laude Harvard Law School graduate and former practicing attorney in New York, Berman came to Ohio State "for one reason," a nominating student wrote. "He wanted to share his experience and impressive intellect with young law students." He has created numerous supplemental teaching materials to complement casebooks and other texts, and created all the materials for his course in criminal punishment and sentencing and his seminars on advanced sentencing and the death penalty. His teaching style is described as "comfortable and conversational," as well as "organized and efficient." Berman graduated summa cum laude in philosophy from Princeton University.

Alan D. Beyerchen of COLUMBUS (43234)

Associate Professor

Department of History

College of Humanities

This is not the first time Beyerchen has been honored for his outstanding teaching. In the last four years, he also has received the Roudica Botoman Award for outstanding teaching in the College of Humanities, the history department's Clio Award and the Ohio Academy of History's Outstanding Teacher Award. Known for engaging students even in large lecture classes, Beyerchen is praised by students for his "dynamism, versatility, and enthusiasm for teaching" that are "second to none." In addition to teaching courses ranging from introductory levels to required and elective graduate courses, Beyerchen is active in research and service to his discipline. He is the author of the award-winning Scientists under Hitler: Politics and the Physics Community in the Third Reich. A three-time graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, he has served on the Ohio State faculty since 1978.

Michael J. Boehm of WORTHINGTON

Assistant Professor

Department of Plant Pathology

College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Students and faculty speak to the teaching strengths of Boehm, who combined 10 years as a United States Army Reserve combat field medic with a series of educational and professional appointments before joining Ohio State's faculty in 1996. Known for his accessibility and motivating lectures, Boehm teaches three courses that have seen a roughly 50 percent increase in enrollment since his arrival -- which colleagues attribute to his "reputation as a demanding but caring instructor." Boehm also is lauded as a leader in instructional innovations, such as development of Internet-based student resource centers and incorporation of "real-world" practicums into his courses. He has been recognized for his teaching several times, most recently with his college's 1999 Rodney F. Plimpton Outstanding Young Teacher Award. He received his bachelor's degree from Heidelberg College and his master's and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from Ohio State.

Antoinette Errante of COLUMBUS (43220)

Assistant Professor

School of Educational Policy and Leadership

College of Education

A popular adviser and teacher, Errante of Columbus offers her students challenging instruction in comparative education and the history of education combined with a strong commitment to meet students' collective and individual needs. "At all times, through the thick and thin of academic rigor, Dr. Errante has made me feel that she and I are in this bittersweet experience together, always working as a team," a nominating student wrote. A faculty member since 1993, she received teaching awards from both the College of Education and the School of Educational Policy and Leadership during the 1998-99 academic year, the first year those awards were granted, and has been recognized as an outstanding teacher by the Office for Disability Services. She also is an active researcher, developing a national reputation for expertise on school violence. A graduate of Georgetown University, Errante earned her master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota.

Lisa C. Florman of COLUMBUS (43201)

Assistant Professor

History of Art

College of the Arts

Celebrated for earning some of her department's strongest-ever student evaluations, Florman of Columbus is noted for combining a performance approach to teaching with solid scholarship and unconventional in-depth analyses with her students. She teaches a wide range of courses, including ancient and modern portions of the art history survey, and Honors sections of both courses. A former student describes her seminars as "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities" recognized as a valuable resource by students from many departments, as well as professionals such as faculty, museum administrators and gallery owners. Florman also is an emerging expert on Picasso; her book Myth and Metamorphoses: Picasso's "Classical" Prints of the 1930s will be published this spring. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she earned an M.A., M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Columbia University before joining Ohio State's faculty in 1994.

Allison B. Gilmore of LIMA

Associate Professor

Department of History

Ohio State-Lima

Recognized with both outstanding faculty teaching and outstanding faculty scholar awards at Ohio State-Lima, Gilmore is credited as being instrumental in Lima's movement toward offering a history major on the campus. She has worked to build the campus' history offerings and expand its library holdings in history. Supported by both students and faculty, Gilmore is described by one nominator as a "natural teacher" who "loves history and loves teaching history." A specialist in military history, Gilmore teaches courses in American history, the Vietnam War and World War II, and comparative Asian civilizations. Her first book, You Can't Fight Tanks with Bayonets: Psychological Warfare against the Japanese Army in the Southwest Pacific, was published two years ago. An Ohio State faculty member since 1991, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Ph.D. from Ohio State.

Howard P. Marvel of COLUMBUS (43220)

Professor

Department of Economics

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Nominators say Marvel of Columbus "has had an indelible impact on the lives of many Ohio State students. He has made a real difference to these students, and that's what being a good teacher is all about." He is widely known and praised for his infectious enthusiasm about economics, his high standards for his own performance as well as his students', and his continuing guidance of students long past their enrollment in his classes. Colleagues note he has developed new courses, volunteered to add Honors seminars to his teaching load, used multimedia technologies to supplement lectures, and invested much of his time to student recruitment for his department. A faculty member since 1973, he has maintained an active research career and served on numerous departmental and University committees. Marvel is a graduate of Indiana University and received his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

Paulette D. Pierce of COLUMBUS (43229)

Associate Professor

Department of African American and African Studies

College of Humanities

An influential teacher and colleague, Pierce of Columbus is considered an excellent teacher whose broad knowledge consistently motivates students to want to know more. "She is exceptional because she teaches with passion," a nominator wrote. An instructor at all levels, from the large lecture class to graduate courses, she also has served as the department's Honors adviser and as an undergraduate major adviser. Colleagues consider her a valuable resource on pedagogy in the department, and laud her for revitalizing existing courses -- so much so that new courses are created. She received her bachelor's degree from Hunter College in New York, and her master's in philosophy and Ph.D. in sociology from the City University of New York. She served on the Queens College faculty before joining Ohio State in 1991.

R. Vladimir Steffel of DELAWARE

Associate Professor

Department of History

Ohio State-Marion

Steffel is Ohio State-Marion's longest-serving faculty member, having taught at the campus since 1968. His commitment to teaching is evident in his ready availability for questions and discussion, and his willingness even to change the time and location of a course to help students. Beyond serving as the Marion campus Honors program director and chair of the Honors Opportunities Committee for many years, he also has raised funds to support the Honors program. Besides Honors courses, he teaches a wide range of history courses, from the introductory level to senior capstone classes. "Pound for pound, his courses offer the student the best educational deal around," a nominator wrote. "He's a hard teacher, certainly, but he works for the students just as hard as we work to make the grade." He holds bachelor's degrees from both Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State, as well as master's and doctoral degrees from Ohio State.

Linn D. Van Woerkom of HILLIARD

Associate Professor

Department of Physics

College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

The positive evaluations from nonphysics majors who take Van Woerkom's sequence of first-year physics courses primarily attended by students in health care-related fields demonstrate his ability to develop the course series into a "dynamic vehicle for learning," according to a nominator. His students praise his accessibility -- especially during office hours, when the room typically is filled to capacity with students and the instructor sharing information. Van Woerkom uses computer presentations and live demonstrations to show both the high-tech and hands-on natures of physics. His service also is extensive. He is an active participant in the Honors program, speaks at primary and secondary schools, develops curricula and modifies classroom demonstrations. In addition, he maintains an active program of research in the field of short-pulse lasers. An Ohio State faculty member since 1992, he earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in physics from the University of Southern California.

Distinguished Scholar Award

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes exceptional scholarly accomplishments by senior professors who have compiled a substantial body of research, as well as the work of younger faculty members who have demonstrated great scholarly potential. Recipients are nominated by their departments and chosen by a committee of senior faculty, including several past recipients of the award. Distinguished Scholars receive a $3,000 honorarium and a $20,000 research grant to be used during the next three years.

Distinguished Scholar Award recipients are: Barbara Anderson, Prabir Dutta, Carter Findley, L. James Lee, George Marzluf and Richard Steckel.

Barbara Andersen of UPPER ARLINGTON

Professor

Department of Psychology

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Andersen is a leading researcher in the exciting and growing field of health psychology. She examines the relationships between psychological and behavioral factors in the progression of cancer, and has focused particularly on how stress affects cancer outcomes in women. Her research in the Stress and Immunity Breast Cancer Project has strong clinical impact, and thousands of patients have already benefited from it. Besides being a first-rate, original scholar, Andersen is a highly regarded teacher, mentor and role model, who contributes to university and community service. She earned her bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Illinois, and served on the faculty of the University of Iowa for eight years before coming to Ohio State in 1989.

Prabir Dutta of WORTHINGTON

Professor

Department of Chemistry

College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

A world-renowned researcher in the area of materials chemistry and characterization, Dutta has excelled as few have in applying basic research to problems of technological importance. His research has the potential to provide practical means of using solar energy to break down water into hydrogen and oxygen, creating a pollution-free fuel. He and his students also have made major strides in synthesizing zeolites, and he has worked with colleagues in the College of Engineering to develop new materials for the next generation of chemical sensors. Dutta is a prolific author, a popular teacher and an exceptional mentor. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in India, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Princeton University. He has been a member of the Ohio State faculty since 1983.

Carter Findley of UPPER ARLINGTON

Professor

Department of History

College of Humanities

Findley is the reason that many of Turkey's best graduate students come to Ohio State to pursue doctorates in the history of their nation. One of the world's foremost authorities on the Ottoman Empire, Findley is the author of two widely praised and cited monographs on bureaucratic reform and the social history of civil officialdom in the late Ottoman Empire. At the same time, he has made major contributions to the field of world history, including co-authoring the leading textbook The Twentieth Century World, now in its fourth edition. Currently, Findley is working on a large-scale history of the late Ottoman Empire and the Turkish Republic. He writes and lectures in English, French and Turkish. A magna cum laude graduate of Yale, he earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University and has been a member of the Ohio State faculty for 28 years.

L. James Lee of COLUMBUS (43220)

Professor

Department of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering

Lee of Columbus virtually single-handedly built the polymer engineering program at Ohio State and is the principal investigator and director of an NSF-funded Center in Advanced Polymer and Composite Engineering. He has been successful in attracting major student and faculty talent, in linking his research to important industrial needs, in securing research funding and awards, in publishing journal articles, and in mentoring graduate students. In short, the quantity and quality of his work is unusual and outstanding. Lee has made significant contributions in advanced polymeric materials and processing. His work in liquid composite molding, thermoset polymer blends and sheet molding compounds is particularly noteworthy. A graduate of National Taiwan University, he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota and has been a member of the Ohio State faculty since 1982.

George Marzluf of COLUMBUS (43202)

Professor and Chair

Department of Biochemistry

College of Biological Sciences

Marzluf of Columbus pioneered the study of gene expression in fungi. Rather than simply identifying new genes, he developed new biochemical techniques to reveal how genes control metabolic processes. As a result, his work led to an increased appreciation for the universality of biological processes from fungi to humans. The quality of his research is exemplified by the fact that the National Institutes of Health has funded his work steadily for more than 30 years. As chair of his department since 1986, Marzluf leads an advisory program to help junior faculty achieve excellence in teaching, research and service. A true Buckeye, he received his undergraduate degree from Ohio State, graduating summa cum laude, and earned his master's here, as well. He earned his Ph.D., with distinction, from Johns Hopkins University before returning in 1970 to join the Ohio State faculty.

Richard Steckel of UPPER ARLINGTON

Professor

Departments of Economics and Anthropology

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Formally a faculty member in two departments, Steckel extends his research to many disciplines, including history, demography and human biology as well as economics and physical anthropology. He has melded these diverse areas of study to create a new field: anthrometric history. His work on historical trends in health and nutrition is helping to shape today's health policies. His study of human height and its correlation to economic well-being, particularly in the American slave population, provided new understanding of the past. Steckel received his bachelor's degree in economics from Oberlin College and master's degrees in economics and mathematics from the University of Oklahoma. He earned another master's and a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Chicago under the direction of Nobel Laureate Robert Fogel before joining the Ohio State faculty in 1974.

Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service

The Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service honors faculty who have made extensive contributions to the development and implementation of University policies and programs through nonadministrative roles. They are nominated by members of the University community and selected by a committee of faculty, administrators and previous recipients. They receive a $3,000 cash award and an increase of $1,200 to their base salaries.

Distinguished University Service recipients are Paul Allen Beck, Bunny C. Clark and Susan W. Fisher.

Paul Allen Beck of WORTHINGTON

Professor and Chair

Department of Political Science

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Beck is a distinguished scholar, a dedicated teacher and an able administrator. On top of that, he is an exemplary university citizen whose service in many capacities has contributed enormously to raising Ohio State's standards of academic excellence. As a member of the Provost's Advisory Committee, chair of the Mershon Center Oversight Committee, and in his recently assumed position as chair of the Selective Investments Committee, Beck has always put academic quality first and been a thoughtful, probing and constructive participant in discussions and deliberations. He has also worked tirelessly on Universitywide committees focused on financial planning and budgetary accountability -- chairing both the Revenue Generation Advisory Committee and the University Senate Fiscal Committee. A member of the Ohio State faculty since 1987, he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and previously taught at Florida State University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Bunny C. Clark of POWELL

Distinguished University Professor

Department of Physics

College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

There is perhaps no one more in demand to serve on important University-wide committees than Clark. Universally admired for her intelligence, integrity and level-headed leadership, Clark has served on major search committees at all levels, including those that nominated the president of the university and the dean of her college. As a Distinguished University Professor, she is a member of the President's and Provost's Advisory Committee. She also was a member of the Accreditation Steering Committee when Ohio State underwent it last accreditation. Current activities include membership on the Committee to Evaluate Central Administrators and the Special University Marketing Task Force. She has been a member and chair of the Selective Investments Committee. In addition, she is an award-winning researcher and teacher, and an effective advocate and mentor for women in science. A member of the Ohio State family since 1969 -- first as a research associate and scientist and then as a faculty member -- Clark earned her Ph.D. at Wayne State University and her B.S. and M.S. at Kansas State University.

Susan W. Fisher of DELAWARE

Professor

Departments of Entomology and Veterinary Biosciences

Colleges of Biological Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Intelligence, discernment, tact and dedication are among the qualities that Fisher has brought to her participation in more than 50 University-wide committees and subcommittees. Long active in University Senate, she has chaired the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee of Steering, and both Faculty Cabinet and Faculty Council. As chair of Faculty Council, she developed an action agenda that delineated the council's goals and successfully accomplished five of the seven items. Fisher's leadership was vital to the creation of the Secretary of the Faculty position, and to amendments to rules governing promotion and tenure that made them more responsive and humane. In addition, her service extends to college and departmental activities and to the public. An outstanding researcher, widely known for her work on zebra mussels, Fisher carries a full teaching load. She joined the Ohio State faculty in 1981, shortly after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

###

(LO)