UWSP recognizes outstanding teaching, scholarship and service

Ten faculty and academic staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will be recognized for outstanding teaching, scholarship and service at the fall assembly at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21 in the University Center Laird Room. The assembly has replaced the annual convocation at UWSP.

Nominated by their department colleagues and students, each winner will receive a $500 prize. Recipients of the awards and the year each came to Stevens Point are:

Excellence in Teaching: Robert Bell, associate professor of biology and water resources, and chair of Department of Biology, 1993; Perry Cook, assistant professor of education, 1994; Neil Heywood, associate professor of geography/geology, 1989; Dennis Riley, professor of political science and coordinator of public administration and policy analysis, 1978; Dona Warren, assistant professor of philosophy, 1995.

Scholar Awards: Robert Rosenfield, associate professor of biology and wildlife, 1992; Donna Desforges, associate professor of psychology, 1991.

Service Award: Dan Dieterich, professor of English, 1976.

Community Service Award (new): David Timm, senior information technology consultant, 1975.

Academic Staff Excellence Award (new): Mark Koepke, assistant director of international programs, 1984.

Nominated by his students in the Department of Biology, Bell recently was appointed department chair. ". . . Dr. Bell was always willing to stay and talk after class, for those who were interested or had any questions," said one of his students. Another student said, "He is without a doubt, the best instructor I have had at this university."

One of Bell’s colleagues described him as having ". . . a sincere interest in the student," and that he teaches by example while "encouraging his students to learn, grow, and to have some fun in the process."

A native of Illinois, he holds degrees from Drake University, Illinois State University and Arizona State University. A biologist with interests in the fields of phycology (study of algae) and algal communities, Bell has published numerous peer-reviewed publications and has garnered several internal grants.

One of Cook’s students put it very succinctly—"Dr. Cook made science fun!" Another student stated that "I was challenged in every way professionally. I was challenged and motivated to continue on my quest for lifelong learning."

Cook has authored two articles in refereed journals and has made numerous presentations at national conferences. A graduate of UWSP, Cook was an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota after earning his doctorate in science education at UW-Madison. He is a native of Waukesha.

Nominated by colleagues in the Department of Geography/Geology, Heywood views teaching as "communication of newfound abilities, not simply new facts and figures."

According to department chair Michael Ritter, "Heywood has distinguished himself as an excellent teacher and mentor for students in geography and geology."

"He uses an array of techniques to stimulate the variety of intelligence’s and learning strategies present in any student population," according to one of Heywood’s students. "During my education, I had never met a professor that had his office door open more than Professor Heywood."

Heywood has made presentations in schools throughout the area and has supervised several student research projects. He received his bachelor’s degree at State University of New York-Plattsburgh and his master’s at the University of Georgia. In 1989 he earned his doctorate at the University of Colorado. He is a native of Pennsylvania.

Nominated by colleagues in the Department of Political Science, Riley has devoted 20 years of service to UWSP. In 1980 he won UWSP’s Teaching Award and according to colleagues, "his performance since then has remained at this high level."

"His love for teaching is obvious in his lectures and in his relationships with students. I feel truly honored to have Dr. Riley as a professor and even more fortunate to have him as an adviser," said one of his students.

Riley’s expertise is public personnel administration which led to the writing and publishing of a textbook on the subject. With the assistance of two colleagues, he designed and implemented a major in public administration and policy analysis. He holds degrees from Willamette University, Syracuse University and the University of Michigan. He is a native of California.

Nominated by colleagues in the Department of Philosophy, Warren’s areas of specialization are philosophy of language and philosophy of the mind. Her teaching involves her students by asking them questions using the Socratic technique and by forming them into groups where they work on assignments together.

"Not only did I learn, but what I learned will be valuable outside of class and outside of school," said one of her students. "It was probably the most challenging course I have taken as a philosophy major. It was also one of the most fun and interesting."

She has authored two articles in a juried professional journal and is working on the prospectus for a critical thinking text.

A native of Minnesota, Warren holds degrees from Moorhead State University and the University of Minnesota.

Nominated by faculty in the Department of Biology, Rosenfield is one of two University Scholar Award winners.. One of the world’s leading authorities on the Cooper’s hawk and other raptors, he recently published a monograph on the Cooper’s hawk sponsored by the American Ornithologist’s Union.

While conducting avian research, Rosenfield, more often than not, invites undergraduate students to share in the rewards of scientific research. Since 1990 he has supervised and mentored 51 students on research studies. His students have co-authored 10 publications with their professor and three of them have accompanied him to Greenland to study Peregrine falcons. In addition to his numerous publications, he has been asked by the Smithsonian Institution to contribute several sections to its Handbook of North American Birds.

A former recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, Rosenfield received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at UWSP. A native of Minnesota, he received his Ph.D. in zoology at North Dakota State University.

The psychology faculty "enthusiastically" nominated Desforges for the University Scholar Award. Her colleagues commented that she continues her outstanding contributions to scholarship by maintaining an active research program in social psychology and cross-cultural issues. One of her nominators labeled Desforges "a premier scholar."

A former recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, Desforges serves as a reviewer for six national and international journals, including one of the most prestigious journals in the field. While reviewing articles for the "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology," she also reviews grant submissions to the National Science Foundation.

A native of Illinois, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and her master’s and doctorate from Texas Christian University.

According to an English department colleague, "Dan Dieterich has compiled an impressive record of service during his 22 years at UWSP. " A past recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award, Dieterich has led 62 campus presentations and workshops in recent years. He is well known as a community leader, speaker and writing consultant.

A native of Illinois, he earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from DePaul University and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The Academic Staff Community Service Award stresses the importance of service in building and contributing to a healthier campus and community environment. The first recipient is Timm, of UWSP’s Information Technology.

Nominated by University Library staff, Timm has been with UWSP for 24 years. During his tenure, he has not only served his university, but volunteered his time and services within the community-at-large.

According to his colleagues at the University Library, "he has lent considerable computer talents to the Portage County Public Library and the Stevens Point Area Senior High School science department." In addition, he is charged with maintaining computers for Saint Bronislava’s Parish in Plover.

Timm has been a member of the First Board of Directors of the Citizens Utility Board and served as secretary. He is past president of the Head Start Policy Council and Wisconsin State Employees Union Local 584. He has served as board member to CAP Services. Lastly, Timm has donated time to coaching boys’ Little League and girls’ softball.

A graduate of UWSP with a degree in economics, he is a native of Rhinelander.

The Academic Staff Excellence Award recognizes an academic staff member for contributions to the university, unit or department. The first recipient is Koepke of International Programs.

Nominated by International Programs staff, Koepke, assistant director for international programs, has been with UWSP for 14 years. According to College of Letters and Science Dean Justus Paul, "While directors have come and gone, Mark has been the constant in the programs and his role has been significant in the success of those programs."

Koepke has coordinated UWSP’s Health Promotion and Human Development Bicycling and Hiking Adventure Tours, which he initiated in 1985. He developed UW-System’s Web page for study abroad and was recently elected state president of NAFSA, the organization for international activities on campuses.

According to the program’s director, David Staszak, "He truly makes a difference in the lives of our students, their parents, our faculty and staff, and those of us in the International Programs Office who have the pleasure to work with him."

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