College of Education and Health Professions to Honor Top Faculty, Staff Members

Photo Submitted

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The College of Education and Health Professions will honor faculty and staff members chosen to receive awards for advising, teaching, research and service at a meeting Friday, May 2, on the University of Arkansas campus.

“It gives me great pride to announce the winners of our annual faculty and staff awards,” said Tom Smith, dean of the college. “We have many deserving people in this college who put students first and are working hard to ensure the high quality of our programs. I hope everyone who knows these faculty and staff members will join me in recognizing the vital role they play in our college.”

The College of Education and Health Professions is composed of five academic departments with more than 130 faculty members, the university’s recreation department, and 23 research and service units. It offers degrees in 26 areas and enrolled 5,200 students at the beginning of the fall 2013 semester. That includes about 1,200 graduate students, the largest graduate enrollment of any college at the University of Arkansas.

The College Council chooses the faculty honorees and one non-classified staff honoree from nominations submitted, and the college’s Professional/Personal Enhancement Program for classified staff members coordinates the award process for classified staff.

The faculty winners for the 2013-14 academic year:

•          Kathleen Barta, associate professor of nursing, Superior Service Award.

•        Paul Calleja, clinical associate professor of kinesiology, Innovative Teaching Award.

•          Barbara Gartin, University Professor of special education, Faculty Career Award.

•          Kristen Jozkowski, assistant professor of community health promotion, Rising S.T.A.R.    (service, teaching, advising and research) Award given to the outstanding all-around new faculty member. 

•          William F. McComas, Parks Family Professor of Science Education, Innovative Teaching  Award.

•          Betsy Orr, associate professor of career and technical education, Outstanding Mentoring and Advising Award.

•          Peggy Schaefer Whitby, assistant professor of special education, Significant Research Award.

•          Brent Thomas Williams, associate professor of rehabilitation education, George Denny S.TA.R. Award given to the outstanding all-around faculty member.

Smith will also present staff awards:

•          Janelle Amos, department of curriculum and instruction, Outstanding Overall Performance for fall.

•          Betsy Bennett, department of health, human performance and recreation, Outstanding Service to Students for spring.

•          Griffin McKnight, University Recreation, Outstanding Service to Students for fall.

•          Danielle Sexton, department of rehabilitation, human resources and communication disorders, Outstanding Service to Faculty and Staff for spring.

•         Dirk van Raemdonck, department of education reform, Superior Service Award.

•          Todd Walters, office of the assistant dean for administration, Outstanding Service to Faculty and Staff for fall.

•         Priscilla Wetzel, Education Renewal Zone, Outstanding Overall Performance for spring.