Previous Awardees
Excellence in Teaching - Paul Beardsley
Professor of Biological Sciences and Director of the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (CEMaST), Dr. Beardsley joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2011. He has thoroughly enjoyed serving as an educator for over 27 years, for middle school through postdoctoral students. He is committed to active “leaning by doing” and inclusive pedagogy that motivates learners in accordance with Robert Frost who said, “‘I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” Beardsley is a strong believer in CPP students and in the teacher/scholar model. During his time at CPP, he served as Principal Investigator or Co-PI for grants in excess of $11.4 million to develop and study teaching interventions to support all students. Currently, he is PI for the $1.5 million Polytechnic for All: STEM Success via an Inclusive institutiON (PASSION) NSF HSI project. He delivers intensive professional development for teachers across the country in collaborative partnerships with school districts, universities, and scientific research institutes. He is the originator of the Biology Learning Assistant program at CPP.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Wen Cheng
Dr. Cheng, Ph.D., P.E., PTOE, is a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. He obtained his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. His research interests span a variety of areas including research into the human and engineering causes associated with transport system related crashes, advanced traffic operation strategies, and application of deep machine learning in transportation. He serves as an Editorial Board Member for multiple journals. Since he joined CPP, he has received about 3-million-dollar research grants, and has published more than 100 peerreviewed journal papers and conference proceedings along with his students and colleagues.
Excellence in Service - Phyllis R. Nelson
Dr. Nelson, a Cal Poly Pomona alumna, joined the faculty in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in 1999. Previously she had held positions as an engineer in the aerospace industry and as a research staff member at Université Claude Bernard – Lyon 1 in France and at UCLA. At Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Nelson has served as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Academic Senate, Chair of her department, and Co-Director of the Center for Macromolecular Modeling and Materials Design. In addition, she has represented her college on the Veteran Success Committee, has served on numerous search committees, was a member of the Police Advisory Taskforce, the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation Board of Directors, and the Inclusive Excellence Council Executive Board. She is currently the Faculty Director of Data Analytics. In addition, she has been a member of the Mt Baldy Volunteer Fire Department since 1999, first as a firefighter and now as a dispatcher and Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Excellence in Teaching - Joanne Sohn
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Chantal E. Stieber
Excellence in Service - Seema Shah-Fairbank
Read Excellence Reognized with 2020-2021 Provost's Awards article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Wen Cheng
Dr. Cheng received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. His research focuses on highway safety, statistical modeling, machine learning, traffic operation and highway geometric design. He won the nationally recognized “2008 Young Researcher Award” presented by TRB Committee on Safety Data, Analysis, and Evaluation due to his research related to safety performance ranking. He also received the 2013 National James M. Robbins Excellence in Teaching Award from the Civil Engineering honor society. Recently, he received the 2015 Outstanding Research Award and the 2018 Outstanding Teaching Award from Cal Poly Pomona College of Engineering, and 2020 Provost’s Excellence in Teaching Award from Cal Poly Pomona. He served as the editors for a large number of conferences, journals and magazines. He also published numerous journal papers covering transportation engineering, environment, public health and applied statistics and mathematics.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Matthew S. Povich
Associate Professor Matthew S. Povich joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Cal Poly Pomona in 2012. He maintains a highly productive research program in astronomy, using data from both space- and ground-based telescopes to study the most active star-forming nebulae in our Milky Way Galaxy. He is recognized as one of the world’s experts in the study of young stellar objects, massive stars, and ionized nebulae. He works with numerous research collaborators across the country and internationally and serves as lead scientist for the Milky Way Project, an online citizen science platform that has engaged >50,000 volunteers from >100 countries to catalog thousands of nebulae in infrared survey images. Dr. Povich has authored 59 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, garnering 4100+ literature citations. The stunning imagery produced by his work has been featured in numerous press releases. His research grants have brought >$900,000 in funding to CPP, including the first NSF CAREER grant awarded to our university. Dr. Povich’s research group has involved over 20 undergraduates, a research associate, and a postdoctoral research fellow. His students have contributed to nine journal articles, including four as lead author, and have presented at fifteen (inter)national conference presentations. Alumni of his research group frequently proceed to graduate study at top-ranked Ph.D. programs in astrophysics, including Caltech and Ohio State.
Excellence in Service- Sarah Lorenzen
Sarah Lorenzen, professor in the Department of Architecture, successfully served as the Director of the neutra VDL Research Studio and Residences (VDL) from 2007-2020. Under her supervision, VDL went from being a house in disrepair to becoming a prominent cultural space in Los Angeles. The property was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2017. Her fundraising and grant procurement efforts led to a ten-fold increase in Neutra House’s yearly revenues. Ms. Lorenzen also oversaw the restoration of the house and worked with well know mid-century furniture and lighting manufacturers to refurnish the house to match the original interiors. Ms. Lorenzen developed an Architecture class where she teaches students about Richard Neutra's architecture and the history of VDL, and trains them to be docents for weekend tours. The house is also used for other educational activities in art, design, preservation, and landscape architecture. Ms. Lorenzen has organized countless community social, cultural and educational activities connected to the Neutra House: guided tours, an artist-in-residence exhibition program, and performances such as concerts, recitals, book presentations, and round table discussions. Ms. Lorenzen stepped down as resident director of VDL in March.
Read 2020 Provost's Award Winners Exhibit Excellence article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Don Edberg
Dr. Donald Edberg, a Professor in the Aerospace Engineering department, joined Cal Poly Pomona in 2001 after earning a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has received Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Engineering and Northrop Grumman Faculty Award for teaching excellence in 2016. Dr. Edberg spearheaded the development of Uninhabited Vehicle Lab (UAV) and the Astronautics club. He is the champion and adviser for CPP Zero-Gravity flight team that was selected three times by NASA. This is a rare honor as only a few institutions in the nation achieve this distinction. Under his supervision, CPP student design teams have secured top three places nineteen times (including seven first-place finishes) since 2007. Dr. Edberg practices a hands-on approach to teaching. He works closely with local industries. Many of his students are now leaders in the aerospace industry.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Xudong Jia
Dr. Xudong Jia, Professor and Chair of Civil Engineering, is an outstanding educator. He has earned a regional, national, and international reputation as a distinguished researcher, having received four awards, written two textbooks, and published 76 papers. He was awarded $1.5 million to complete 41 externally funded projects. Dr. Jia developed QuakeView – an Earthquake Pre-Warning System, for which he was personally commended by United States Senator Barbara Boxer. As a real practitioner in solving transportation problems, Dr. Jia managed a big data environment, the Regional Integration of Intelligent Transportation Systems, and conducted applied research for LA Metro in 2008 – 2014. As a national and international expert, he is frequently invited as a speaker in conferences and was recently a keynote speaker at the 2017 China-ASEAN Mining Submit Forum. As an international collaborator, Dr. Jia has provided workshops to 1500+ presidents, deans, chairs, professors, and young faculty of Chinese universities in education and civil engineering and gave presentations to more than 22 universities in China. Dr. Jia established the UCCONNECT Summer Research Program and hosted two professional conferences in 2014 and 2016. Through these programs, 70+ students were financially supported to attend conferences and present papers and 80+ students, who were funded by the programs, received MSCE degrees. Dr. Jia is a strong promoter of the Teacher-Scholar model and has demonstrated a commitment for excellence and student success. Through partnerships with Caltrans, his students have worked on real-life projects and received numerous awards in competitions since 2007.
Excellence in Service - Steve Alas
Steve Alas, Professor in the Biological Sciences Department and the Director of the Science Educational Enhancement Services (SEES) has demonstrated exemplary service through his leadership of programs that support and engage under-represented students. Through SEES and Dr. Alas’ efforts, the CSU-LSAMP program, the NSF BioTIER program, and the STEM Success programs have helped over 2,500 students at Cal Poly Pomona. Major grants from the California Wellness Foundation, the Hearst Foundation, the Chancellor’s Office and the National Science Foundation support the programs and represent extensive, long-term efforts to improve the University through service by strengthening student success in STEM fields. Dr. Alas serves our local community through programs like the CPP summer Discovery Camps for K-12 students held at CPP and taught by the SEES students. Over 600 K-12 students per summer have experienced hands-on learning at the Discovery Camps. Dr. Alas has provided leadership to the Biological Sciences Department, the College of Science, the Academic Senate, and the Division of Academic Affairs as either a member or chair of multiple committees. His extensive contributions to our students, his department, college, university and the alumni association are befitting the highest recognition.
Read Provost's Awards for Excellence 2019 article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Alexander Rudolph
Professor Alexander Rudolph is a distinguished member of Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. He has received extensive recognition locally, nationally, and internationally for his mentoring and teaching of students historically underrepresented in physics and astronomy. He is the founder of the California Minority Partnership for Astronomy Research and Education (CAMPARE) and the CSU-UC bridge program Cal-Bridge. Dr. Rudolph has mentored a tremendous number of undergraduate students and has co-authored many publications with undergraduate students. He has published numerous articles about research on the effectiveness of interactive learning strategies in physics and astronomy classrooms. His work has received significant external grant funding, almost all of which has focused on classroom teaching pedagogy and the promotion of diversity in physics and astronomy. Many of Dr. Rudolph’s former students are attending Ph.D. programs at some of the most prestigious universities around the country. We celebrate the work of Dr. Rudolph as he introduces astronomy and physics to underrepresented students and inspires them to graduate work.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Mingheng Li
Dr. Mingheng Li, Professor of Chemical and Materials Engineering, has developed a nationally recognized research program in the area of process systems engineering with a variety of practical applications, including water desalination, renewable and sustainable energy techniques, air quality control, and advanced materials processing. Professor Li’s numerous publications, including 44 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier journals and six book chapters, have received 1200+ citations (per Google Scholar). He is a member of the distinguished editorial boards of the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy and Coatings, clearly indicating Professor Li’s prominence and accomplishments in research. Professor Li’s record of blending teaching and research into a single synergetic endeavor is impressive. His efforts are manifested by his undergraduate students’ outstanding achievements, whether being awarded scholarships to complete their graduate studies in prestigious programs nationwide, or working at top engineering companies. As stated by one of his students “The idea of learn by doing is not simply a motto in Dr. Li’s projects but the actual execution of novel and innovative research.”
Excellence in Service - Felicia Friendly Thomas
Being one of six African American children who integrated an all-white school in rural South Carolina in the 1960's, Dr. Felicia Friendly Thomas became a passionate champion of under-served and under-represented people, especially first-generation college students like her. At Cal Poly Pomona, Dr. Friendly Thomas co-founded the Cal Poly Child and Family Services Friendmobile Program, a parenting and tutoring/mentoring center on wheels that provided free services to local communities. The Friendmobile evolved into a program where psychology students went into community facilities and schools to provide much needed services. Additionally, Dr. Friendly Thomas has been recognized for her research on diversity, bias and mentoring - conducting numerous workshops and invited presentations including being a Distinguished Speaker and “Terman Master Teacher” for the Western Psychological Association and James Jones Invited Speaker for the American Psychological Association. Finally, she was a Malone Fellow with the National Council on U.S – Arab Relations and has served on city and county agencies and commissions.
Read Provost's Award Winners for 2018 article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Kamran Abedini
Kamran Abedini, chair and professor in the Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering, touts more than 34 years of experience. He devised “Puzzles Principles,” a pedagogical approach to teaching that uses cognitive and active-learning methods melded with his own experiences. The approach has been recognized by the National Academy of Engineers. Abedini has earned awards on the local and national stages for his teaching and advising of students. He has an exceptional record of getting his work in major publications and sharing his innovative pedagogical teaching tools. Abedini describes his classroom as a “think tank” where students learn how to strategize, plan and apply. He has mentored numerous students, including underrepresented minorities in engineering, and those students have won awards at regional and national competitions. Abedini is a lifelong learner who continues to hone his teaching and mentoring to achieve maximum effectiveness. His colleagues and students attest to the impact he has made at Cal Poly Pomona.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Nadia Shpachenko-Gottesman
Professor of Music, Dr. Nadia Shpachenko-Gottesman elevates Cal Poly Pomona’s prominence in the arts through her outstanding national and international contributions in music performance. Dr. Shpachenko specializes in commissioning, premiering, and recording new works by living composers, and has performed 150 recitals since joining the Cal Poly Pomona faculty. Her recent album “Woman at the New Piano” was awarded three Gold Medals from Global Music Awards and three GRAMMY® nominations. Dr. Shpachenko’s artistry, creativity and skill enhance her abilities to teach Cal Poly Pomona’s students, with whom she often collaborates. In her words, “My work as a teacher is tightly intertwined with my work as a performer. I model my scholarship and creative activities with students every day, as I work with them on improving their craft, striving to find their voice in music and learning firsthand, by my continuously evolving example, what it takes to be a successful musician.”
Excellence in Service - David Speak
Political Science Professor David Speak has a long and distinguished record of service, with his work stretching from Cal Poly Pomona to nearby cities to Central America. He is deeply involved with the political science department, the College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences and the Academic Senate. Speak also has served as member of the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education and was elected to the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly. Beyond Cal Poly Pomona, he worked as a credentialed international election observer in Central America. He is co-author of the textbook “American Government.” Speak’s commitment to social justice and equality serves as his motivation. He works with student groups, serves as liaison to the ASI Senate and advises the Political Science Club. Speak has made an indelible impact on Cal Poly Pomona and the community. “We are a service-oriented university system, and I am a most fortunate guy in being able to serve this great campus as it provides first-class university access to the sons and daughters of Everyman.”
Read Faculty Offer Inspiration at Provost's Awards Symposium article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Mariappan Jawaharlal
Mechanical Engineering Professor Mariappan “Jawa” Jawaharlal uses a hands-on approach to help students discover and learn through highly creative projects. His innovative method makes learning complex concepts simple because he relates them to everyday life. He has received numerous honors including the Northrop Grumman Award for Excellence in teaching. His robotics class was the first engineering service-learning course at Cal Poly Pomona; students and faculty visit local K-12 schools to train teachers and mentor students in robotics. The program culminates with the annual Robot Rally, which is the largest program of its kind in the country, and reaches more than 1,000 students. Jawa was instrumental in creating the Femineer program, which was recognized by the White House for increasing educational outcomes and opportunities for female Hispanic K-12 students. He is a pioneer in developing online videos for hard-to-learn concepts in STEM.
Excellence in Sholarly and Creative Activities - Craig W. LaMunyon
Professor Craig LaMunyon has developed a nationally recognized research program that examines various aspects of biology, from the evolution of sexuality and the mechanisms of vitamin transport to the genetics of sperm development. His current work with nematodes (roundworms) investigates sperm motility and methods to control agricultural parasites. He has published 34 peer-reviewed papers, including several in prestigious journals, and has obtained $2.7 million in grants to support his research. His work is focused on improving the human condition, from shedding light on our understanding of the function of important genes to controlling devastating crop pests. In addition, he has trained 37 graduate and undergraduate students as well as two high school students in innovative research. As evidence of the significance of his research, several of his publications have attracted attention from high-profile media outlets.
Excellence in Service - Jeffery S. Mio
Jeffery Scott Mio is a professor in the Department of Psychology and Sociology. He joined Cal Poly Pomona in 1994 after earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago, and spending a decade teaching at other universities. His remarkable scope of service touches Cal Poly Pomona, his profession and the community. His efforts include high-profile contributions and behind-the-scenes work. At Cal Poly Pomona, he served at the department and university levels, with particular contributions to the Asian Pacific Faculty, Staff, and Student Association. At the national level, he made numerous contributions to the American Psychological Association and the Asian American Psychological Association. He was president of the Media Action Network for Asian Americans, a media watchdog group. For this wide-ranging and influential service, he is a worthy recipient of the Provost Award for Service.
Excellence in Teaching - Jennifer Switkes
Math Professor Jennifer Switkes abides by five values in teaching: “excellence, honor, integrity, love and purpose.” She has taught a wide range of classes, from lower-division service courses to master’s level courses, receiving excellent evaluations in all levels. Switkes has written numerous papers with undergraduate and graduate students that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. She has also given many presentations on the connection between math and teaching to high school teachers, student clubs at other universities and at national professional meetings. Her service extends beyond Cal Poly Pomona. For one semester, she taught differential equations to students at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. She recently finished an introductory calculus class at the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco through the Prison Education Project. In 2012, Switkes received the College of Science Distinguished Teaching Award.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Professor Winny Dong
Winny Dong, chemical and materials engineering professor, has taken on a variety of roles during her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona. She is highly regarded for her knowledge, care for students, and commitment to reduce the achievement gap for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. To this end, she has secured $13.2 million for scholarships and programs. Dong has led and/or founded several programs at Cal Poly Pomona that encourage student research, provide academic support and ease the path to graduate studies. The programs include the Office of Undergraduate Research, Achieve Scholars Program, Office of Projects and Research for the College of Engineering, Engineering Scholars Program and the McNair Scholars Program. In addition to student support programs, Dong led the development of the Innovation and Commercialization Lab in 2008, which brings together business, engineering, science and social science students to create novel products and introduce them to market. Dong has been named the Provost Teacher-Scholar on three occasions.
Excellence in Service - Richard Willson
Richard Willson, professor of urban and regional planning, is a leading expert on transportation, land-use planning and parking policy. He has authored two books, “Parking Reform Made Easy” and “Parking Management for Smart Growth.” Frequently sought out by the media, Willson has commented on planning issues for NPR, the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal. His research has been used to increase livability, sustainability, and multimodal transportation in numerous communities in the US and beyond. He has written dozens of grant-supported articles, monographs, and conference papers, and frequently collaborates with students in research projects. Willson is a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners and represents the university on the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. His on-campus leadership roles include three terms as department chair and interim dean, and he serves on the City of Los Angeles re:code LA zoning reform advisory committee.
Read Standout Professors Receive 2015 Provost Awards for Excellence article on CPP News.
Watch Provost Awards 2014-2015 on YouTube.
Excellence in Teaching - Alison Baker
Professor Baker teaches medieval literature in the Department of English & Foreign Languages, will receive the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. She challenges her students to not only understand the text of a novel or assigned academic reading, but to also “walk away with positive encounters with old stories.” Baker has regularly received excellent teaching evaluations, consistently earning an average rating of ‘very good’ over 11 years. She has inspired many students to pursue careers in higher education. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has developed pedagogy presentations and workshops in basic reading, Medieval English and foreign languages. She has also written articles on effective teaching strategies and offered readings of Middle English works to variety of audiences. Baker serves on numerous committees at Cal Poly Pomona, including the CLASS curriculum committee and the GWT Advisory Committee. She has received the Sigma Tau Delta Honors Society Outstanding Faculty Support and Advising Award four times and is currently serving as the vice president of the Executive Committee of the CSU English Council.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Ángel Valdés
An associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Professor Valdés will receive the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities. He is internationally known for his research of sea slugs. He uses molecular biology to precisely identify the species of sea slugs, making it possible to track their worldwide distribution, spread, and evolution. He has discovered more than 100 new species and has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and four books. In addition, he has received over $3 million in funding from various agencies, including the National Science Foundation. Since 2010, Valdés has published 20 peer-reviewed articles with Cal Poly Pomona students as co-authors, and he has received departmental and college level teaching awards.
Excellence in Service - Dan Hostetler
A plant sciences professor, Professor Hostetler will receive the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Service. He has served as farm supervisor for 38 years and as department chair for 20 years. He was instrumental in developing the Cal Poly Pomona Farm Store and AGRIscapes Center, which is visited by tens of thousands of people every year. He is one of the core developers of Cal Poly Pomona’s Horsehill Vineyards wine and an integral member of the management team for the Pumpkin Festival. Hostetler and his students sell Cal Poly Pomona products at local farmers markets, and he maintains strong relationships with youth organizations throughout Southern California. Hostetler has secured nearly $750,000 for student scholarships and over $3 million in donations to support students and the College of Agriculture’s living laboratories. In addition, he was named a Kika de la Garza Fellow by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2007 and has been invited to serve as a Fellows Advisor in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
Read Valdes, Baker, Hostetler to Receive Provost’s Awards article on CPP News.
Watch Provost's Awards for Excellence 2014 on YouTube.
Excellence in Teaching - Laurie Starkey
She has developed innovative teaching techniques for organic chemistry and adapted them for online learning. She has authored a textbook and also created a YouTube chemistry channel for teachers and for students of all ages. Starkey includes peer reviews in her courses, making students part of the teaching process. She has won the Distinguished Teaching Award and twice received the Science Council Advisor of the Year award. Starkey also has served on the Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching editorial board and the GRE-Chemistry Committee of Examiners.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Vilupanur Ravi
He is a world-class materials scientist who has pioneered research on the mechanical properties of thermoelectric materials, pack cementation coatings and the environmental resistance of boron-modified titanium alloys. Ravi is co-inventor on 11 U.S. and 13 international patents. He has conducted interdisciplinary research with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Air Force Research Laboratory and many others. Ravi won the Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award in 2006. He served on the board of trustees of ASM International, the Materials Information Society. Ravi is also past president of Alpha Sigma Mu, the international professional honor society for materials science and engineering.
Excellence in Service - Ernie Simpson
He has served as Chemistry Department chairman, graduate studies coordinator, and developer and chief advisor for the industrial chemistry option. He also served on numerous committees and was a reader of the Graduate Writing Test for many years. Simpson founded the College of Science’s Cooperative Education Program in 1978 and oversaw it until 2001, placing 300 students per year at more than 125 companies. He is an American Chemical Society fellow and organized annual conferences for several professional organizations. Simpson was a principal investigator on Cal Poly Pomona contracts, grants and philanthropic funding, totaling more than $4 million.
Read Trio Selected for Provost's Awards for Excellence article on CPP News.
Excellence in Teaching - Ed Walton
Professor Walton, who joined the Chemistry Department in 1987, is the recipient of the Provost’s Award for Teaching. He has gained a national reputation for his innovative teaching methods, especially evident in the chemistry course he developed for pre-service K-8 teachers. Throughout his time at CPP, Walton has partnered with school districts to improve K-12 science teaching. In addition, Walton was instrumental in establishing the Diversity Ambassador Program, where students visit historical sites in the South to gain firsthand knowledge about the civil rights movement.
Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities - Jill Adler-Moore
A prolific researcher, Biology Professor Jill Adler-Moore is the recipient of the Provost's Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity. During her 38-year tenure, she has been awarded $11.4 million in contracts and grants for basic research, education and research training. Most notably, she helped develop and patent AmBisome, a novel drug delivery system that has become the international gold standard for treating fungal diseases in humans. She is the founder of the biotechnology program, which includes bachelor’s and professional science master’s degree programs.
Excellence in Service - Faye Wachs
Sociology Professor Faye Wachs is the recipient of the Provost’s Award for Service. She has served on the Academic Senate, the Faculty Affairs Committee of the Senate, and the CLASS curriculum committee. In addition, she is a founding member and current director of the Center for the Study of the Inland Empire. In 2004, she received a three-year grant from the Department of Education to provide physical education resources, staff and training for children in Pomona. Wachs is the current president of the North American Society for Sport Sociology.
Watch Provost's Awards for Excellence - 2012 on YouTube.
Excellence in Teaching - Tina Hartney
Tina Hartney, a professor in biological sciences, is the recipient of the Provost's Award for Teaching. She has been a member of the university community since 2001 and is a leader in inquiry-based teaching methodologies. Hartney is credited with developing the Science Learning Portfolio, an electronic database of lab data used in courses across the sciences.
Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activities - Elise Wirtschafter
A leading expert on the history of 18th century Russia, Elise Wirtschafter is the recipient of the Provost's Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity. A professor in history, Wirtschafter enjoys an outstanding record of publications in top-tiered journals, in addition to writing five books with a sixth book in progress.
Excellence in Service - Barbara Burke
One of university's most honored faculty members, Chemistry Professor Barbara Burke is the recipient of the Provost's Award for Service. Burke earned the National Science Foundation Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math and Engineering, thanks to her groundbreaking work mentoring minority science students. Since 1999, she has served as director of Science Educational Enhancement Services (SEES).
Read Hartney, Burke and Wirtschafter Recognized with Inaugural Provost's Awards article on CPP News.