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Tuesday, October 20, 2009 UNI faculty, staff receive 2009 Regents Excellence Awards CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Nine University of Northern Iowa faculty and staff members received 2009
Faculty or Staff Excellence Awards, given by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. The recipients were honored at Convocation in September.
Regents Faculty Excellence Award recipients are: Susan Hudson, McElroy Professor of Youth Leadership Studies, School of HPELS; Chris Kliewer, professor of special education; Chris Ogbondah, professor of communication studies; Daniel Power, professor of management; Donna Thompson, professor of physical education and executive director of the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS); and David Walker, professor of history.
Staff Excellence Award recipients are: Karen Cunningham, program coordinator and adviser for the individual and general studies majors and coordinator of National Student Exchange (NSE) Program; Kris Peterson, former office coordinator for Career Services; and David Schmid, Rider Hall residence life coordinator.
Hudson is also the recipient of the J.B. Nash Scholar Award, which is the highest award given by the American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation's (AAPAR) Professional Recreation Council. She was nominated by Rodney Dieser and Chris Edginton, who recognized her contributions to the professional knowledge in the recreation, parks and leisure services field.
Kliewer was nominated by Susan Etscheidt and Amy Staples. They described Kliewer as having a "gift of explaining complex constructs in a clear, understandable fashion. His course syllabi, selected readings and teaching style are demonstrative of his commitment and dedication to teacher education." Kliewer's research represents a mixture of theoretical constructs and insight to promote comprehensive practices for young children with significant disabilities.
Ogbondah, nominated for this award by Dhirendra Vajpeyi and Pita Ogaba Agbese, is an internationally recognized leading authority on issues related to freedom of the press. His works were cited during the drafting of the Freedom of Information Bill. He is a four-time recipient of the American Press Institute Fellowship and also the recipient of the American Society of Newspaper Editors Institute for Journalism Excellence Fellowship.
Power was nominated by Dale Cyphert and Rex Karsten. His nominators noted that his "teaching career has been marked by a consistent desire to bring the results of his own research into the classroom, along with a willingness to explore new methods of making his subject matter relevant to students' professional interests."
Thompson was nominated by William Callahan and Chris Edginton. She has served UNI for more than 30 years and is known worldwide for her expertise in the area of playground safety. Thompson has been a primary contributor to the American Society for Testing and Materials about playground standards and has been influential in the development of standards regarding home playgrounds, soft contained play equipment, surfacing, fencing and standards for public use.
Walker, who has served UNI for more than 30 years, was nominated by Robert Martin and John Somervill. He is credited for his accomplishments and leadership in creating an image of the Graduate College as one that values scholarship, excellence in graduate teaching and service to the university community.
Cunningham is described as having a profound dedication to students and a devoted UNI alumna, earning her B.A., M.A. and Ed.D. in education leadership. Her nominator, Jenni Colsch, noted that "She must be knowledgeable about all departments' disciplines, prerequisites and registration requirements in order to help students create a coherent program of study."
Peterson served the university more than 30 years until her retirement this summer. She was nominated by Allan Stamberg, who noted that during her years of service, Peterson "was instrumental in making UNI's Career Services an efficient and effective operation."
Schmid's nominators, Drake Martin and Lyn Redington, noted that his "energy, drive, attention to detail, volume of work and overall impact on large numbers of students and colleagues in the residence system have been immeasurable." He also serves as the summer conference coordinator and an adjunct faculty member at UNI.
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