OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PRESENTS FACULTY HONORS TO 17 COLUMBUS -- Seventeen faculty members have been chosen as this year's recipients of The Ohio State University's prestigious honors, the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Distinguished Scholar Award and the Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service. They will receive their awards at a reception and banquet April 21. 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, first awarded in 1997, honors faculty who have made extensive contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through nonadministrative roles. Recipients have served in leadership roles on university-level committees or in similar capacities. 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. Funding for the awards is provided by private donations to the university and by The Ohio State University Alumni Association. Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching Teaching award recipients are: Robert S. Coleman, William J. Davis, Michael J. Earley, Bernard L. Erven, Lawrence A. Krissek, Richard J. Lundman, Myroslava M. Mudrak, John J. Skowronski and John W. Wenzel. Robert Coleman of BEXLEY Associate Professor of Chemistry College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences An internationally known organic chemist, Coleman was actively recruited to Ohio State from the University of South Carolina in 1996. He teaches one of the most demanding, competitive course at Ohio State -- organic chemistry -- at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students roundly praise his breadth of knowledge and willingness to help students. "I will be forever grateful to whatever forces or luck placed me in Professor Coleman's class.... His enthusiasm in organic chemistry and in teaching is contagious and inspiring," one former student wrote. Another student said Coleman's "ability to make such a difficult course seem more comprehensible by using many different examples was an excellent method of teaching. He had so much enthusiasm that it made me want to learn!" Coleman earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa, his master's degree in medicinal chemistry from the University of Kansas, and a doctoral degree in organic chemistry from Purdue University. William Davis of WORTHINGTON Professor of Mathematics College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences The co-founder of one of the country's major calculus reform projects, Davis teaches Calculus & Mathematica (C&M), a relatively new method that teaches students to analyze problems from a conceptual perspective and use computer software to pursue a solution. One colleague noted that the Calculus & Mathematica materials Davis helped create have become staples for courses at several universities and have become "one of the most respected and successful efforts in the national move to reform the teaching of calculus." One student said, "I really appreciate how he's helped me learn not only math, but how to investigate." Another wrote, "I've never had so much fun with math." A colleague noted that perhaps the strongest student endorsement of Davis occurred last autumn, when 15 students closed out of a C&M course demanded that another section be created to accommodate them. Davis has taught at Ohio State since 1964 and earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Case Institute of Technology. Michael Earley of POWELL Assistant Professor of Clinical Optometry College of Optometry Earley is noted for many talents as a teacher, but a common theme in students' praise is their own desire to perform well academically in return for his investment in their education. A former student wrote, "If I had only one word to describe why Dr. Earley should win this award it would be 'enthusiasm.' If I had several more words I would include intellectual rigor, high standards, a sense of humor, the ability to listen, clarity of thought, and genuine interest in his students." Known for his accessibility, Earley also is revered for his vast knowledge of the subjects he teaches, especially in general anatomy, histological anatomy and ocular anatomy -- three rigorous courses for optometry students. One student observed, "Not one time did he read off notes, and whenever a question was asked, he would fire an answer right back. To sum it up, I think the man is a genius!" Earley joined the faculty as assistant professor in 1992. He received his bachelor's in biology from Northwestern University, and holds his O.D. and master's and Ph.D. in physiological optics from Ohio State. Bernard Erven of WORTHINGTON Professor of Agricultural Economics College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Awards are nothing new for Erven. In the nearly 30 years that he has served on Ohio State's faculty, he has been honored many times for his teaching, service and advising. Students note his tendency to self-evaluate and encourage student participation, even in large lecture classes. One student said Erven "always wanted to change his class for the better" and called him an "excellent role model for other teachers." Colleagues, too, praise Erven for his strong committee work. One extension specialist wrote that groups request Erven's participation at meetings "so he can 'teach' them how to move forward as they work on complex problems." Primarily a teacher of key courses in the agribusiness and applied economics major, Erven earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at Ohio State and his doctorate in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin. Among his previous honors is a 1985 university Award for Distinguished Teaching. "I have tried to think of a negative comment," one student wrote in evaluating Erven's teaching. "The only thing negative that comes to mind is that he will someday have to retire." Lawrence Krissek of OSTRANDER Associate Professor of Geological Sciences College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences In the same way Michael Jordan's outstanding basketball performance improves his teammates' play, Krissek's dedication and teaching ability make his students "better students, better geologists, and on a larger scale, better thinkers," one student wrote. In a variation on that theme, a former student noted Krissek's toughness: "He has a stern hand with a red pen, but that same red pen helped to teach me the value of concise scientific writing." In addition to his departmental responsibilities teaching oceanography, geologic environment and historical geology, Krissek has developed a summer geology curriculum at Stone Laboratory for primary and secondary science teachers and for science-minded high school students. Krissek is a two-time winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award presented by graduate students in the Department of Geology and Mineralogy. He joined the Ohio State faculty in 1982 after earning his Ph.D. in oceanography at Oregon State University and his bachelor's degree at the University of Washington. Richard Lundman of WORTHINGTON Professor of Sociology College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Criminology and deviance are among Lundman's areas of teaching expertise, but gently guiding students to reach their potential -- in any field -- appears to be his specialty. Several students supporting his award nomination noted Lundman's engaging style and his encouragement of their individual academic pursuits. "His office hours are continuously booked with students waiting in line for an opportunity to discuss some idea or project," a colleague confirmed. Lundman is praised for combining classroom teaching with police ride- alongs and visits to correctional and rehabilitation institutions, bridging the theoretical and practical components of criminology. His teaching has not gone unnoticed in his 23 years on the Ohio State faculty. Lundman has received the Rosalene Sedgwick Faculty Award from the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences, and was a nominee for the colleges' Outstanding Teaching Award every year from 1981 to 1996; he was a finalist in 1988. One student noted Lundman's important and honest advice to "find something that you have a passion for, and study it; you'll never regret the decision you made." Myroslava Mudrak of WORTHINGTON Associate Professor of History of Art College of the Arts "Mentor" is a word that crops up a lot when students and colleagues describe Mudrak. "She is remarkably skillful at giving her students both intellectual freedom and sound, objective advice without going too far in either direction," wrote one former student. It is noted that her graduate students, in a difficult job market, have all found employment in academia, museums, auction houses or other professional venues, and many attribute their success to her encouragement and sage counsel. Acknowledged as one of the nation's foremost scholars of Eastern European art, Mudrak also is known as a creative and highly organized teacher. Her exams often take unusual forms, such as requiring the students to curate an art exhibit to illustrate the principles underlying a particular art movement. A member of the Ohio State faculty since 1982, she earned her B.A. at Case Western Reserve University, her M.A. from Columbia University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas. John Skowronski of GRANVILLE Associate Professor of Psychology Newark Campus "Dr. John," as his students are encouraged to call him, is known as one of the toughest, yet most popular, teachers on the Newark campus, where he has taught since 1986. His students praise his enthusiasm, clarity and accessibility. "Dr. John is obviously doing what he loves -- teaching," wrote a student. "His desire to pass along his vast knowledge is both obvious and inspiring. He will take whatever time and whatever means necessary to help a student." Over the past three years, in addition to teaching 14 regular psychology courses, Skowronski supervised 22 students in individual studies, five of whom presented their research at professional meetings. An active researcher himself, Skowronski is widely published and a frequently invited speaker on social psychology topics, particularly in the areas of memory and cognition. He is a graduate of Augustana College, and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Iowa. John Wenzel of DUBLIN Assistant Professor of Entomology College of Biological Sciences "Inspiring," "enthusiastic," "knowledgeable" and "very cool" are comments from Wenzel's entomology and biology students. Wenzel's use of humor and current events makes his lectures relevant and lively and keeps students interested. He encourages participation and responds to questions in such a way to make the students feel intelligent for their inquiry. A student curious about the taste of larval bees, for example, was given the opportunity to sample one. Wenzel, a faculty member since 1994, teaches both science and nonscience majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has developed many innovative labs for his introductory entomology course. One of the most unusual uses mouse cadavers -- pests captured in Wenzel's house and then frozen -- to introduce students to the new field of forensic entomology. Students in his evolutionary biology course say Wenzel takes the controversy of creation vs. evolution and presents the theories with balance and fairness. Wenzel received his bachelor's in biology from Harvard College and a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Kansas. Distinguished Scholar Award Scholars are: Hojjat Adeli, Clive A. Edwards, Eric Herbst, Andrea A. Lunsford, William J. Mitsch and M. Sue O'Dorisio. Hojjat Adeli of POWELL Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science College of Engineering Whether he is designing earthquake-resistant bridges and buildings or finding better ways to track traffic incidents on highways, Adeli does not follow established paths in engineering, but rather makes his own. He founded the Knowledge Engineering Lab in his department for research on applied artificial intelligence, machine learning, neural network computing and evolutionary computing. He also founded and now edits two illustrious journals in his field: Microcomputers in Civil Engineering and Integrated Computer-Aided Engineering. One former doctoral student wrote that he chose to pursue his degree at Ohio State specifically because of Adeli's "international reputation as an innovator and researcher ahead of the time," and added, "In research, he leads, and others follow him." A colleague commented, "I know of no one else who can show contributions to so many different fields of engineering.... He, more than anyone I know, is building a bridge between these new computer science tools and the many disciplines of engineering." Adeli, who has been an Ohio State faculty member since 1983, received his Ph.D. in civil engineering from Stanford University and his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Tehran. Clive Edwards of WORTHINGTON Professor of Entomology College of Biological Sciences Colleagues consider Edwards the leading international authority in earthworm biology and ecology. His many contributions include predicting the persistence of pesticides in soils and pointing out the important role earthworms play in breaking down soil biomass and recycling nutrients in the soil ecosystem. One colleague notes that "the intensity of his research program has always been high, but it is positively exploding right now!" Edwards joined Ohio State in 1985. He has been instrumental in bringing top-notch talent to the university and is praised for providing research experiences for nearly 50 undergraduates. Edwards co-founded and was the first director of the university's Sustainable Agriculture Program. He has authored more than 300 scientific publications, including 21 books, throughout his career and spearheaded the establishment of both the International Soil Ecology Society and the international journal Applied Soil Ecology. He holds degrees from the University of Bristol, England, and the University of Wisconsin. Eric Herbst of UPPER ARLINGTON Professor of Physics and Astronomy College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences Herbst's work unites chemistry and astronomy in the dynamic regions of space where stars and galaxies are born from collections of the tiniest molecules. An Ohio State faculty member since 1991, he deciphers the chemical reactions that shape the universe. Some of his earliest professional accomplishments "changed the field," according to one of his colleagues, when they helped solve the long- standing problem of how gas phase molecules form in open space. Now this work provides the basis for the active field of interstellar chemistry and star formation. He has served as a consultant to NASA and is a recipient of the Max Planck Research Prize. At Ohio State, Herbst oversees his department's new qualifying exam and "has willingly and effectively taught an unusually broad range of courses," a colleague noted. Herbst earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Rochester and received his M.A. and Ph.D. in chemistry from Harvard University. Andrea Lunsford of COLUMBUS (43214) Distinguished University Professor and Professor of English College of Humanities "In the United States, the name 'Andrea Lunsford' is synonymous with the best rhetoric and composition has to offer," one scholarly peer wrote in support of Lunsford's award nomination. Named a Distinguished University Professor in 1990 after joining the Ohio State faculty in 1986, Lunsford is credited by her colleagues with making "profound, widely resonant, and deeply respected" contributions to American education. Under Lunsford's direction, Ohio State's Program in Rhetoric and Composition has become the nation's largest and most respected such program. She also has taught writing at all levels of the curriculum and has directed some 24 doctoral dissertations. The author and editor of dozens of books, chapters, essays and articles on rhetoric and writing, Lunsford is the recipient of the prestigious Conference on College Composition and Communication Exemplar Award. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Florida and earned her Ph.D. in English at Ohio State. William Mitsch of UPPER ARLINGTON Professor of Natural Resources and Environmental Science School of Natural Resources Since coming to Ohio State in 1986, Mitsch has distinguished himself as one of the world's foremost experts on wetlands ecology and ecological engineering. Mastermind of the Buckeye Swamp -- better known as the Olentangy River Wetland Research Park -- Mitsch takes his "Wetlands are nature's kidneys" message to Congress, classrooms, newsrooms and boardrooms. An energetic and creative researcher and inspiring teacher, Mitsch is widely recognized as an eminent authority on construction of wetlands for environmental restoration and ecological processes active in natural and constructed wetlands. His book Wetlands is widely considered to be the wetlands bible. He is also founder of the Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education, a multistate research center that addresses water management problems in the Ohio River Valley. He created the undergraduate major in environmental science, and was instrumental in developing the environmental science graduate program. Former students report that their academic pedigree as a "student of Mitsch" has enhanced their research careers. Mitsch earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Notre Dame, and received his master's degree and Ph.D. in environmental engineering sciences from the University of Florida. M. Sue O'Dorisio of WORTHINGTON Professor of Pediatrics and Immunology College of Medicine and Public Health O'Dorisio joined the faculty in 1976. An internationally renowned investigator in the field of neuroimmunology, her research on neuropeptides has affected several important areas of medicine, including communication between the brain and the immune system, gastrointestinal diseases and pediatric cancer. O'Dorisio's work on these brain chemicals has increased the understanding of how stress can depress the body's immune response to viruses and to cancer. "She simply is an extraordinary scientist, someone whose research career will give great benefit to the scientific community, to the medical and graduate students she mentors in research, and to the young cancer patients who are the ultimate beneficiaries of her discoveries," one colleague noted. O'Dorisio recently received the American Academy of Pediatrics Award for Excellence in Pediatric Research. She is director of both the university medical scientist program and the pediatric hematology/oncology research program, and co-director of the pediatric oncology program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center. She holds degrees from Creighton University, the University of Nebraska, and Ohio State. Faculty Award for Distinguished University Service Service award recipients are: David O. Frantz and Gerald M. Reagan. David Frantz of UPPER ARLINGTON Professor of English College of Humanities Frantz has taught at Ohio State for three decades, and has served as acting and associate dean in the College of Humanities and as a vice chair and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of English. A member of the Academy of Teaching, he teaches English and Medieval and Renaissance studies on the undergraduate and graduate levels. His university service includes extensive committee work and encouragement of student leadership. He has served on the most recent Presidential Search Committee, the NCAA Athletic Certification Committee, the Committee for the Evaluation of Central Administrators, the University Honors Advisory Committee and the University Committee for Undergraduate Curriculum Review, to name just a few. One administrator reported that Frantz is "so selfless and dedicated ... to making this institution as effective as possible." A colleague declared, "For the past two decades there are few if any faculty members who have been as active in major service roles as David Frantz." He is a graduate of Princeton University, the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Ph.D. Gerald Reagan of WESTERVILLE Professor of Educational Policy and Leadership College of Education Colleagues say Reagan's service to the university has been so complete that his influence can be felt in a meeting even when he's not on the committee in question. And when he is on a committee, one colleague says, "He is a vital member ... not just because, like the Buddha, he knows all, but because, unlike the Buddha, he does all." Currently the secretary of University Senate and secretary of University Faculty, Reagan has a long history of service to his college, the university and his field of expertise, the philosophy of education. "It is not overstating the case to suggest that Dr. Reagan has been at the center of the most significant changes at The Ohio State University over the past decade," one colleague wrote. A dedicated scholar who has published dozens of articles and made numerous presentations, Reagan also received Ohio State's Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1981. Reagan is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Western Michigan University and Michigan State University, where he earned his Ph.D. in philosophy of education. He joined the Ohio State faculty in 1969. # Contact: Emily Caldwell, University Communications, (614) 292-8309 * Call Emily Caldwell to request photographs of the award recipients.