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May 4, 2005

网曝门 Names 2005 Outstanding Professors

The University of Louisiana at Monroe's Outstanding Professor Award recipients for 2005 are: College of Arts and Sciences-Arts: Dr. Gordon Harvey, assistant professor of history and graduate coordinator; College of Arts and Sciences-Sciences: Dr. Lynn LeBlanc, professor of geosciences; College of Business Administration: Dr. Tammy Parker, associate professor of economics; College of Education and Human Development: Dr. Ava Pugh, professor of curriculum and instruction; and College of Health Sciences: Melgardt de Villiers, associate professor of pharmaceutics.

On Monday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m., the event will begin with a panel discussion with the five honorees in the university conference center on the 7th floor of the 网曝门 Library hosted by Provost Stephen Richters. A reception for honorees and guests will begin at 4:30 p.m. The college deans will introduce the honorees at 5 p.m. and 网曝门 President James E. Cofer, Sr. will present their awards.

Dr. Eric Pani, 网曝门 Associate Provost, said this is a way for 网曝门 to recognize and give back to their exceptional professors. "Throughout the year, professors work tirelessly lecturing, researching and grading. We wanted to select the cream of the crop and let them know we appreciate the dedication and hard work they display to this university."

The Office of Academic Affairs and the 网曝门 Alumni Association are sponsors of the Faculty Honors Awards Program. Professors are awarded based on excellence in teaching, scholarly activity, and service.

网曝门 faculty members took part in the selection process. Each honoree will receive a picture to be displayed in the 网曝门 Library for one year, and will be given a commemorative plaque and a stipend of $500. Additionally, the Alumni Association will contribute $500 to the individual's Department Foundation account.

Each nominee submitted a biographical sketch and 4-6 pages of material supporting their nomination, below is a summary of that information for each Outstanding Professor.

Harvey is the L.M. McKneely Professor in Humanities and has served as an assistant professor of history at 网曝门 since 1999. He contributes to many university, college and departmental level committees. Harvey works as graduate coordinator for the history M.A. program as well as an academic advisor. He also serves as his department's technology coordinator and web master.

Harvey is very involved with online history discussion networks and regularly performs outreach activities by way of readings and lectures. He provides commentary and analysis on American history and political campaigns to local and national media. Harvey also contributes as a manuscript referee, textbook evaluator and book reviewer. He published his first book in 2002 and is currently writing a second and editing a collection of essays on southern history. He is the recipient of numerous teaching awards.

LeBlanc joined the faculty at 网曝门 in 1983 as assistant professor of atmospheric sciences and director of the climatic research center. He was promoted to professor in 1993. Under his direction, the department modernized the weather station and established an upgraded computer laboratory. He saw his own program designated a "Program of Unique Excellence" by the Board of Regents in the early 1990's-a distinction it has since retained.

In addition to teaching courses, LeBlanc serves as a faculty advisor, handles most of the administrative duties associated with the program, recruits and works as a member of several committees university wide. LeBlanc has given many presentations as a member of the 网曝门 Speakers and Artists Bureau. He has been involved with several grants and been active in numerous civic and professional organizations. LeBlanc retires at the end of the 2004-2005 academic year.

Parker is an associate professor of economics and was the Alumni Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship from 1998-2004. She received her Ph.D. in 1996 and has been part of the 网曝门 faculty since 1997. During that time, Parker has been an active researcher, an organizer and facilitator in community entrepreneurship education and a dedicated teacher. She served as a faculty mentor in the Emerging Scholars Program for several semesters.

Parker received the CBA Intellectual Contributions Award in 2002 and 2004. She has had $75,000 in grants funded to support her research and to support entrepreneurship education in the area. Parker has presented over 25 conference papers, has 20 publications in academic journals and has another six manuscripts currently under review at journals.

Pugh began teaching at 网曝门 in 1984 as an assistant professor. She became an associate professor in 1987 and was promoted to professor of education in 1991. She performs administrative duties in her department, works to secure grants and contracts and reviews professional journals and books. She has also written, refereed and selected numerous articles for publication. Since 1997, she has served as editor for the Professional Educator.

Pugh has extended the reach of 网曝门's name by presenting several papers to professional conferences and academies. She has also conducted many workshops throughout the country while serving as an officer and member of voluminous national, regional, state and local professional organizations. Pugh serves as an advisor to students as well as the Louisiana Education Consortium.

De Villiers grew up in the small town of Oudtshoorn in South Africa. He joined the 网曝门 School of Pharmacy in February 2000. His teaching experience includes assisting at student laboratory sessions, teaching undergraduate courses and instructing specialty courses for graduate students. Seven Ph.D. and 32 M.S. students have completed their studies under his supervision. He maintains a membership in many professional associations. By himself or with collaborators, he is responsible for eight grants being funded.

De Villiers's research focuses on improving the performance of medicines listed in the "Essential Drug Lists" of developing countries used for the treatment and prevention of communicable and chronic diseases. He has published more than 90 scientific papers and has presented his research as posters and oral presentations an estimated 150 times worldwide. In addition to winning awards, de Villiers works as a student advisor, serves on several committees at 网曝门 and reviews papers for scientific journals as well as assessing grant applications for the National Research Foundation of South Africa.

 

By Sara Palazzo
Palazzo@ulm.edu

For this and other 网曝门 news online visit www.ulm.edu. While there, check out 网曝门's on-line calendar for all of 网曝门's upcoming events.

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