Date:5/25/00
Contact:
David Walker, associate dean, Graduate College, (319) 273-6148
Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—The University of Northern Iowa Graduate College recently presented awards to graduate students and a member of the graduate faculty. Awards were presented for outstanding doctoral dissertation, outstanding master's thesis, outstanding master's research paper and outstanding graduate faculty teaching.
David Walker, associate dean of the Graduate College, said the awards are intended to honor outstanding scholarship by UNI graduate students, and to provide increased visibility for UNI graduate programs.
Sharon Smaldino, UNI professor of education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, is this year's recipient of the outstanding graduate faculty teaching award and was presented a plaque and a check for $2,000 at the awards meeting. Outstanding graduate teaching includes commitment to academic excellence; attention to individual student needs, interests and development; and consideration of classroom teaching in graduate level courses.
Norbert Fritz, from Weinheim, Germany, received the outstanding doctoral dissertation award for his dissertation titled “Industrial Technology Simulation of Optimal Drive Systems Consisting of Gear-Cam Mechanisms with Brushless DC Servomotors.” His advisor was Ahmed Elsawy, former UNI professor of industrial technology. He received a plaque and $200.
The outstanding master's thesis award went to Katarzyna Jakubiak, from Tarnow, Poland, for her thesis, “Yusef Komunyakaa: Questioning Traditional Metaphors of Light and Darkness.” Her advisor was Vince Gotera, UNI associate professor of English. As the first place winner in the master's thesis competition, Jakubiak will be the university's nominee in the Distinguished Master's Thesis Award competition sponsored by the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools.
In second place was Randal Pilkington of Waterloo, Iowa, for his thesis, “Estimating the Potential Available Labor Supply for Mid-Sized Iowa Communities.” His advisor was Murray Austin, UNI professor of geography. Third place was awarded to Ryan Sprau of Costa Mesa, Calif., for his thesis, “The Commonweal in the Heartland: Charles T. Kelley and Iowa's Industrial Army. His advisor was John Johnson, UNI head and professor of history.
The outstanding master's research paper/project award went to Bonnie Sines of Waterloo, Iowa for her paper, “A Geographical Analysis of Houses of Worship in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1968-1998.” Her advisor was James Fryman, UNI associate professor of geography. Second went to Erin Gomes of Cedar Falls, Iowa, for her paper, “Compliment Research and Pedagogy: A Critical Review of the Function Gap.” Ardith Meier, UNI associate professor of English, was her advisor.
First place master's winners received a plaque and cash award of $200. Second place received $100 and third place received $50.
Nominations for the 2000-2001 competition are now being accepted. For more information, contact Walker at (319) 273-6148.
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Contact:
Michele Smith, Northern Iowan and Board of Student Publications business manager, (319) 273-2157
Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa— Four University of Northern Iowa students and staff members of the campus newspaper, the Northern Iowan, recently received awards honoring their work.
Kate Melloy and Tony Baranowski III have been named recipients of Emma Jackson Baty Scholarships for student journalists on the staff of the Northern Iowan. Melloy, Cedar Rapids, is a senior political science and music major. Baranowski, La Porte City, is a junior English major. Both students are contemplating careers in journalism.
The awards of $1,000 each will be for the 2000-2001 academic year. Melloy and Baranowski will be on the Northern Iowan staff during the next academic year, a requirement for receiving and retaining a Baty Scholarship.
The scholarships were provided by the Emma Jackson Baty Fund. The fund was established in 1984 by Jackson Baty, and his family, in memory of Baty's mother. Jackson Baty is an emeritus professor of education and a former faculty advisor of the Northern Iowan. Proceeds from the fund have been used for various student journalist activities. Scholarships ranging from $750-$1,500 are awarded annually.
Applicants were required to submit examples of their work on the Northern Iowan. Recipients were selected by the Baty Fund board, and were based on recommendations from theNorthern Iowan advisor in consultation with the paper's editors.
Ryan G. Beck, Runnells, the managing editor of the Northern Iowan, was named the recipient of the 2000 Jeanene Robertson Business Award for outstanding service to the newspaper during the 1999-2000 academic year. Beck, who graduated this spring, managed advertising sales, production and business for the newspaper. He is the son of Gary and Jeanne Beck and was a management information systems major.
This award is in honor of Jeanene Robertson who was the business manager of the Board of Student Publications and of the Northern Iowan for 25 years. She retired in 1996. The award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding creativity, initiative, quality of work and leadership in the paper's business operations.
Matthew R. Coss, the son of Donald and Pat Coss, Muscatine, received the Ruth Culbertson Jordan Memorial Award for outstanding service to the newspaper during the 1999-2000 academic year, while serving as its sports editor. Coss, who graduated this spring with a bachelor's degree in electronic media, was a staff member for four years. He was a sports writer for two years and associate sports editor his junior year, in addition to being sports editor his senior year. He intends to pursue a career in journalism.
This award is in honor of Ruth Culbertson, class of 1939, who was editor of The College Eye, the student newspaper at what was then known as Iowa State Teachers College, and later served as director of Lawther Hall. The award honors Northern Iowan reporters and editors who demonstrate exceptional service and devotion to the newspaper.
For more information, contact Michele Smith, Northern Iowan and Board of Student Publications business manager, at (319) 273-2157.
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