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ORU Faculty Awards Honor Seven Alumni

By Lacey Clay

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Click Photo to Enlarge Sarah Myer says that ORU students "are a blessing; it's such a joy to equip them to fulfill their callings and dreams..."

Click Photo to Enlarge Keith Gogan teaches both English and backpacking.

Click Photo to Enlarge Joyce Bridgman, who has been at ORU for 37 years, says, "Music students must be disciplined and skillful in their craft in order to attain their highest artistic potential..."

Click Photo to Enlarge Engineering/Physics/Physical Science chair Dr. Dominic Halsmer describes Dr. Nate Meleen's 37 years at ORU as "a shining example to students and faculty alike."

On Monday, Nov. 15, fourteen faculty members were honored with Professionalism in the Classroom awards during the fifth annual faculty awards luncheon on the Mabee Center Mezzanine. Among the honorees were seven ORU alumni.

Keith Gogan (Class of 1987; 1994-M.A.), recipient of the Mentor Award, said, "Teaching at ORU means contributing to the intellectual, spiritual, and physical welfare of my students. Teaching is not merely the impartation of knowledge; it is the modeling of positive behaviors."

The seven alumni who received an award were:

• Jerry Eshleman (Class of 2001 M.A.), Education -- Chairs' Service Award (Honorable Mention)
  
• Keith Gogan, English and HPER -- Chairs' Mentor Award
  
• Dr. Catherine Klehm (Class of 1990), Chemistry -- Deans' Award for Technology in the Classroom
  
• Lenore Mullican (Class of 1993-M.A. and 1995-M.A.), Modern Languages -- University Faculty Assembly (UFA) Award, Third Place
  
• Sarah Myer (Class of 1994; 1995-M.Ed.), Biology -- Deans' Award for Pedagogy and Andragogy
  
• Sally Shelton (Class of 1971), Library Faculty Facilitator -- Deans' Award for Innovation in Teaching (Honorable Mention)
  
• Dr. Marshal Wright (Class of 1983; 1989-MBA), Business -- Dean's Award for Innovation in Teaching

The other winners included:

• Joyce Bridgman, Music -- Chairs' Mentor Award (Honorable Mention)
  
• Dr. Trice Butler, English -- Chairs' Service Award, and Deans' Award for Pedagogy and Andragogy (Honorable Mention)
  
• Dr. Nathan Meleen, Engineering/Physics/Physical Science -- UFA Award, First Place
  
• Dr. Mary Lou Miller, Education -- Chairs' Scholar Award, and Technology in the Classroom (Honorable Mention)
  
• Dr. Mary Alice Trent-Williams, English -- UFA Award, Second Place
  
• Dr. Teresa Williams, Computer Science and Mathematics -- Chairs' Service Award (Honorable Mention)

The purpose of these awards is to enhance the students' performance through improvements in classroom teaching. The winners are chosen primarily through classroom observation and are given monetary awards. The Alumni Association donated the $2,500 that was disbursed as rewards to the faculty winners.

Dr. Julie Huntley, who teaches marketing management in the School of Business, received the Writing Across the Disciplines award. Funding for this award comes from gifts made by an alumnus who believes that strong writing skills are of vital importance to every college graduate.

During the luncheon, Academic Affairs executive vice president Dr. Ralph Fagin (Class of 1970) presented information concerning the work that will be done to prepare for the upcoming accreditation site team visit. Leighanne Locke, instructor in the computer science and mathematics department and one of the two Self- Study coordinators, shared goals that the Self-Study committees will pursue for the next three years. To inspire the troops, Finance and Operations executive vice president David Ellsworth (Class of 1975) read a "Charge from the President" and Dr. Fagin read a "Charge from the Academic Vice President."

The committee chairs responsible for helping ORU prepare for a site team visit by the Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools were introduced. Over the next three years, the university will be preparing for a review of its accreditation in the fall of 2007.