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Award recipient citations
December 13, 2007
Following is a brief synopses of each award recipients’ citation:
-- As the assistant director of network and communication systems, David Allen is the university’s chief network engineer, architect and emergency technician. He was recognized for his global university perspective, technical knowledge and foresight to improve PLU’s communication infrastructure.
-- Doreen Beard-Simpkins, the assistant to the dean of the School of Arts and Communication, took charge when Dean Ed Inch was on sabbatical for a year. Described as articulate, resourceful and smart, these traits came into play this year when she successfully merged the administrative systems of the art and communication departments.
-- In her role as the senior administrative assistant in the Health Center, Doreen Splinter tackles the toughest of the customer service problems with a good natured and helpful approach. She was recognized for her kindness and compassion, and for her ability to sooth student worries.
-- Celine Dorner, associate professor of mathematics, was recognized with the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching for her excellence, dedication and inspired teaching in mathematics. Dorner uses a combination of her love of math and her pedagogical skill to overcome the phobias of the students in her math courses. Her contributions extend to the regional math community.
-- The K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award in Research went to R. Michael Brown, professor of psychology, and Douglas Oakman, professor of religion. Brown joined PLU in 1982 and has played a leading role in the scholarly life of the psychology department. In the past 18 months, his work on selective investment theory has garnered the publication of two book chapters and three articles in scholarly journals, and he regularly collaborates with students on research. Oakman is an internationally recognized expert on New Testament studies and had already published a book when he joined the religion department in 1988. His work has advanced the study of Christian origins and offered new insight into the life of Jesus.
-- French professor Roberta Brown received the Faculty Excellence Award in Service for her exceptional vision and leadership in transforming the study of language and international education at PLU. Brown’s grant writing skills led to a vigorous language program, building bridges between the languages and literatures department and other academic areas, and the creation of the Language Resource Center. Her leadership was also key in transforming the international core into the honors program this year.
-- Assistant Spanish professor Paloma Martinez-Carbajo was recognized with the Faculty Excellence Award in Advising. In addition to having served as the study away advisor for the international core and the site director of three study away programs, Martinez-Carbajo was recognized for her knowledge, personable attitude and passion.
-- Since joining the university in 1989, mentoring students and colleagues has been a signature characteristic of geosciences professor Jill Whitman, who received the Faculty Excellence Award in Mentoring. In her time at PLU, Whitman served as a special mentoring advisor to the women’s soccer team, volunteers as a faculty facilitator for the Explore! retreat and developed a mentoring process for visiting faculty.
-- Doreen Beard-Simpkins, the assistant to the dean of the School of Arts and Communication, took charge when Dean Ed Inch was on sabbatical for a year. Described as articulate, resourceful and smart, these traits came into play this year when she successfully merged the administrative systems of the art and communication departments.
-- In her role as the senior administrative assistant in the Health Center, Doreen Splinter tackles the toughest of the customer service problems with a good natured and helpful approach. She was recognized for her kindness and compassion, and for her ability to sooth student worries.
-- Celine Dorner, associate professor of mathematics, was recognized with the Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching for her excellence, dedication and inspired teaching in mathematics. Dorner uses a combination of her love of math and her pedagogical skill to overcome the phobias of the students in her math courses. Her contributions extend to the regional math community.
-- The K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award in Research went to R. Michael Brown, professor of psychology, and Douglas Oakman, professor of religion. Brown joined PLU in 1982 and has played a leading role in the scholarly life of the psychology department. In the past 18 months, his work on selective investment theory has garnered the publication of two book chapters and three articles in scholarly journals, and he regularly collaborates with students on research. Oakman is an internationally recognized expert on New Testament studies and had already published a book when he joined the religion department in 1988. His work has advanced the study of Christian origins and offered new insight into the life of Jesus.
-- French professor Roberta Brown received the Faculty Excellence Award in Service for her exceptional vision and leadership in transforming the study of language and international education at PLU. Brown’s grant writing skills led to a vigorous language program, building bridges between the languages and literatures department and other academic areas, and the creation of the Language Resource Center. Her leadership was also key in transforming the international core into the honors program this year.
-- Assistant Spanish professor Paloma Martinez-Carbajo was recognized with the Faculty Excellence Award in Advising. In addition to having served as the study away advisor for the international core and the site director of three study away programs, Martinez-Carbajo was recognized for her knowledge, personable attitude and passion.
-- Since joining the university in 1989, mentoring students and colleagues has been a signature characteristic of geosciences professor Jill Whitman, who received the Faculty Excellence Award in Mentoring. In her time at PLU, Whitman served as a special mentoring advisor to the women’s soccer team, volunteers as a faculty facilitator for the Explore! retreat and developed a mentoring process for visiting faculty.