Ross Thompson Named to Distinguished Happold Chair

Ross Thompson, professor of psychology, has been named Carl A. Happold distinguished professor of psychology, effective at the start of the 2000-2001 academic year.

Thompson, who has been with the university since 1981, has won the Boyd R. McCandless Young Scientist Award in 1988 from the American Psychological Association, a Distinguished Teaching Award from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1997, a Scholarly Teacher Award in 1997, and most recently, the 2000 University of Nebraska Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award. He was named a lifetime member of the UNL Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1997.

Thompson has held adjunct professorships in the colleges of Law and Human Resources and Family Sciences; was the associate director of the Center on Children, Families and the Law from 1992-94; is director of the Developmental Psychology Program, and is part of the core faculty of the Law-Psychology Program and Family Research and Policy Initiative.

Thompson's research has been on child-adult relationships and their impact on children's conscience, self-awareness and emotional development, and early brain development. He also works on children's needs in family law and early education. He teaches numerous courses in psychology, including Introduction to Psychology, with nearly 500 students a semester in that course alone. He has also taught in law and family science.

"I believe faculty can be great scholars and great teachers as well," Thompson said. "I think it's possible to bring to the classroom the intellectual excitement that you derive from your research, and in this respect, teaching and research can be complementary," Thompson said.

The chair is named for the late Carl A. Happold, who was a 1920 NU geology graduate. As a petroleum geologist, Happold developed oil fields in California and Texas.

Johanns Appoints Enriquez to Mexican American Commission

Gov. Mike Johanns has appointed Jenny Enriquez to serve as a Commissioner on the Mexican American Commission. Enriquez, with Student Services at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Learning Center in Scottsbluff, will serve a three-year term and act as a liaison between the Scottsbluff/Gering community, the Commission, and the government.

Enriquez began working at the Learning Center in August, 1999, and also worked for the University of Nebraska in the 1970s. In her current position she helps students pursuing degrees and taking classes via distance education. She acts as a technical support liaison for satellite classes and assists in the promotion of registrations for the Learning Center.

The Commission meets quarterly to focus on state-related issues within the Mexican American Community. Enriquez began her assignment May 16.

Steve Waller Named Interim Ag College Dean

By Molly Klocksin, IANR News Writer

Steve Waller, associate dean of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, has been named interim dean effective July 1.

Waller will fill the vacancy created June 30 when CASNR Dean Don Edwards takes on a special assignment as executive director of the NN21 Kellogg-funded initiative and coordinator for NU Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources special projects. Waller likely will serve as interim dean for at least a year before a permanent dean is hired, said Irv Omtvedt, IANR vice chancellor.

Waller has been associate dean of the college and assistant dean and assistant director of IANR's Agricultural Research Division since 1993. He is a professor of agronomy and has been an administrator for the college since 1990

Waller is a fellow of the Society for Range Management. The UNL Parents Association has honored him four times for his contribution to students, most recently in 1999.

Before joining the UNL faculty in 1978, Waller was an assistant professor of animal science at South Dakota State University. He holds an associate's degree in preforestry from Vincennes University, a bachelor's degree in conservation from Purdue University and a doctorate in range science from Texas A&M University.

Brinkerhoff Is Acting Academic Affairs Chief

David Brinkerhoff, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, has been named acting senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Brinkerhoff's term will cover the time when Richard Edwards is on medical leave from his position as senior vice chancellor for academic affairs. Edwards' leave will continue through November.

Brinkerhoff, who is also professor of sociology, has been a member of the Nebraska faculty since 1978 and has served in the Academic Affairs Office since May 1990

"David is well-informed on the many initiatives begun in the senior vice chancellor's office and is well-positioned to aggressively pursue those initiatives," said Harvey Perlman, professor of law who will become interim chancellor July 16. "He has the judgment and experience to preserve the continuity and stability of that office and the instincts to involve broad segments of the campus in academic decision-making."

Brinkerhoff earned his bachelor's degree in sociology and business administration and his master's in sociology at Brigham Young University (1967, 1968) and his doctorate in sociology at the University of Washington (1976).

Autism Group Honors Siegel

Ellin Siegel, assistant professor of speical education and communication disorders, received the first "outstanding teacher" award from the Nebraska chapter of the Autism Society of America. This is a local chapter of the international organization. The award was presented April 15 at the Nebraska chapter's annual conference, which attracted more than 150 participants. Siegel was among those who presented at the conference. She was cited for her service and teaching across Nebraska in both home and school settings in helping students and with autism and their families and educational staff.

Curington Joins Music Faculty

Keith Curington has joined the faculty of the School of Music as senior lecturer of music education and associate director of choral activities.

His responsibilities will inclusde conducting the Concert Choir, the Collegiate Choir and teaching music education courses. He leaves a post as director of choral activities at North High School in Davenport, Iowa, where his Acappella Choir received a gold rating at the Caws Music Festival in Toronto, Ontario in 1996.

Curington holds a master of arts degree in music education from Western Illinois University, and a bachelor of music education degree from Iowa Wesleyan College.

Curington is national assistant director of music for Churches of God in Christ International and is active as a guest conductor and adjudicator. He is among the "Who's Who in American Teachers" and is an active member of American Choral Directors Association.

$13,000 in Waste Minimization Funds Awarded to Natural Resources

Environmental Health and Safety has recently awarded $13,000 in waste minimization funds to Patrick Shea and Steven Comfort of the School of Natural Resource Sciences. The award covers a significant portion of a new solvent extractor. The extractor will reduce solvent use by over 90 percent and will save over $20,000 each year on avoided purchasing costs for solvents. Additionally, disposal costs for used solvent will be reduced by $750 a year.

If you would like to be awarded funding for waste minimization activities, call Judd Davis of EHS at 472-6513 for an application form. EHS also has technical guidance on waste minimization available.

EEVACS Award Winners Announced

The following employees have won an EEVACS Award for the second quarter of fiscal year 2000. These individuals have demonstrated excellence in the performance of their job duties and have contributed to the goal of Business and Finance to conduct the business of the University in an Effective, Efficient, Value-Added and Cost-Savings (EEVACS) manner.

Dave Babcock, Custodial Services

Bud Elliott, Building Operations & Maintenance

Anne Embree, University Services

Neomia Geister, Custodial Services

Heidi Menard, Architectural & Engineering Services

Mitch Ohnoutka, Building Operations & Maintenance

Howard Parker, Facilities Planning & Construction

Dan Schmidt, Recycling

JoAnn Williams, Custodial Services

Jay Wilmes, Information Services

The following employees have been nominated for an EEVACS Award for the third quarter of fiscal year 2000.

Douglas Beals, Facilities Planning & Construction

Donald Engel, Custodial Services

Robert Gier, Moving Services

Kenneth Holm, Printing and Copy Services

James Lehn, Custodial Services

John Lohmeier, Inventory

Brad Muehling, Facilities Planning & Construction

Jeannette Wells, Custodial Services

Ritchie, Wilson Book Looks at Teacher Development

A new book by two UNL professors examines the often-overlooked role of personal development in the making of teachers.

In Teacher Narrative as Critical Inquiry: Rewriting the Script, Joy S. Ritchie, associate professor of English, and David E. Wilson, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, argue that research on teacher learning and change has too often excluded personal development in considering professional development.

They further argue that the development of a professional identity is inextricable from personal identity and only when the two are combined can teachers begin to author their own development. Ritchie and Wilson use chapters written by four Lincoln-area English teachers to bolster their argument.

The four teachers are Ruth Kupfer of Lincoln High School, Toni Seidel and John Skretta of Lincoln Northeast, and Carol MacDaniels, a UNL doctoral candidate who formerly taught in the Lincoln and Unadilla school systems

S. Dak Historical Society Honors Ellis

Mark R. Ellis, research assistant professor in the Center on Children, Families and the Law, has been awarded the 2000 Herbert S. Schell Award, one of seven Governor's Awards for History in South Dakota.

In his article in the fall 1999 issued of South Dakota History, "Reservation 'Akicitas': The Pine Ridge Indian Police, 1879-1885," Ellis described how Lakota tradition influenced early law enforcement on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

He challenged the conventional view that 19th-century tribal policemen were young, politically ambitious and eager to adopt white ways. Ellis said the presence of a large number of "akicitas," (ah-KEE-chee-tas) or traditional Lakota law enforcers, in the ranks of the Pine Ridge police suggests that the force was an extension of Lakota tradition.

The Schell Award is given annually for the best article published in South Dakota History, the official journal of the South Dakota State Historical Society. Ellis' article is a finalist for the Western Writers of American 2000 Spur Award for best western short nonfiction.

Pill-Soon Song Honored with Korean Samsung Prize

Pill-Soon Song, Dow Chemical professor of chemistry, has been awarded the Samsung Foundation's Ho-Am Science Prize in South Korea.

The Ho-Am award is the most prestigious given to a Korean scientist working overseas. The honor includes a monetary award of approximately $100,000.

The prize is given for general contributions to research based on lifetime achievements, with five specific publications considered in the evaluation. Song's five publications included four papers from UNL and one with collaborators from South Korea's Kumho Life Science Laboratory.

Song is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to molecular photobiology and photobiochemistry. Particularly significant among his many research accomplishments is his work in the structure and function of biological light sensors. Since the 1970s, his research has yielded major discoveries on how plants use red and far-red wavelengths of light in their growth.

The prize is given to individuals who have contributed to world cultural, artistic and social development and who have also furthered the welfare of humanity through distinguished accomplishments in their respective professional fields.

Publications Office Announces Staff Changes

Sally Buchholz, director of Publications and Photography, has been named interim director of public relations. She replaces Phyllis Larsen, who is joining the advertising faculty in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Vi Schroeder will be acting manager of Publications and Photography and Brett Dietrich will serve in the capacity of art director for Publications & Photography.

The appointments are effective July 29.

Luthans Honored As Graduate Educator

The Nebraska Alumni Association and the Graduate College honored students and faculty at the Graduate Studies Awards Banquet April 19.

The alumni association's Excellence in Graduate Education Award went to Fred Luthans, the George Holmes distinguished professor of management in the College of Business Administration. In his 33 years at the university, Luthans has chaired the curriculum committee, helped initiate the MBA program and mentored more than 30 doctoral students. Many of his students have been placed at the top universities in the country, including Washington, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Iowa State and Wisconsin.

The alumni association's 2000 Graduate Research Assistant Awards was presented to Graham Leuschke, a doctoral candidate and research assistant in mathematics and statistics, and Tiffany Heng-Moss, doctoral candidate and research assistant in entomology.

Galen Erickson of Wadena, Iowa, and Lisa Johnson of Fergus Falls, Minn., received Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards.

Purdue Awards Honorary Degree to President Smith

L. Dennis Smith, NU president, received an honory doctor of science from Purdue University May 13. Smith was a faculty member at Purdue from 1969-87 and he headed the department of biological sciences there from 1980-87. Smith earned all of his academic degrees at Indiana University and was acting chancellor at the University of California-Irvine when he was hired as NU president in 1994.

Beane Named New Director of University Bookstore

University Services announces that John Beane is the new director of the University Bookstore. Beane has been with Follett for more than 17 years and has served in several positions such as store manager and regional manager. He received his Master of Science in Business Administration from Thomas College, in Waterville, Maine. Beane can be reached at 472-8531.

J. Milligan Wins Post-Doc Fellowship

Jeffrey Ayala Milligan, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, has been awarded a Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship for the 2000-01 academic year by the National Academy of Education.

Milligan was one of 33 winners from more than 200 applicants nationwide for the $45,000 fellowships. He will use the fellowship to study the relationship between the Muslim population and public schools in the southern Phillipines.

"Tension between conservative religious communities and the institution of civil society - particularly public education - is common worldwide," Milligan wrote in his application for the fellowship. "This study will yield important insight into the clash of philosophical values that underlie such conflicts and suggest strategies for resolving them within the context of public schools in democratic, multicultural societies."

A member of the Teachers College faculty since 1998, Milligan earned his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma (1998).

Holman and Jacobs Receive Universitywide Kudos

Sharon Holman and Michelle Jacobs received the University Kudos Award at the May 12 meeting of the NU Regents.

Holman is a staff secretary II at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. She provides secretarial support for four faculty members, types and mails correspondence and news releases. She provides accounting support through requisitions and petty cash forms and enters computer data for budget programs from tickets, invoices, and quick order/quick pay forms. She reconciles expenditures on monthly ledgers and file paid statements. Holman also has worked with the preparation and publication of research and extension manuscripts.

"Sharon takes her job very seriously. Her work is marked by quality and consistency," said her nominator. "She is able to manage multiple tasks for multiple people and still keep a smile on her face."s

Jacobs is a staff secretary III in the College of Business Administration. She has been employed by UNL since 1984 and she works in the Agribusiness Program and the Marketing department. She has assisted in coordinating international conferences and eight Nebraska Doctoral Symposia. Jacobs has provided advising and academic counseling for agribusiness students from CBA and the College of Agricultural Sciences and National Resources, including maintenance of their academic files. She coordinated internship support for Agribusiness students and arranged for faculty sponsorship and direction of academic credit for student internships and

"There is little doubt that she is a major factor in the success of the Agribusiness Program," states her nominator.

Willborn Named Interim Law Dean

Steven Willborn, the Richard C. and Catherine Stuart Schmoker professor of law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law, has been named interim dean of the college effective Aug. 1.

Richard Edwards, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Willborn will serve until a national search is completed to replace Nancy Rapoport. Rapoport has accepted a position as dean of the University of Houston Law Center.

"I am delighted that Steve Willborn has agreed to serve as interim dean of the College of Law," Edwards said. "He is a scholar and intellectual leader of the first rank and his long tenure on the law faculty means he has keen understanding of the college and of the legal profession in Nebraska. He will provide excellent leadership for the college."

Willborn, who has been a member of the Nebraska law faculty since 1979, earned his bachelor's degree magna cum laude in philosophy at Northland College (1974) in Ashland, Wis. In 1976, he completed both his juris doctorate cum laude at the University of Wisconsin Law School and a master's degree in counseling at Wisconsin.

Willborn teaches employment law, labor law, legal control of discrimination and pension and employee benefits law. He has received the Law College Distinguished Teaching Award three times (1981, 1983, 1988) and the 1983 senior class gave him its SBA Outstanding Teacher Award.

Former A&S Dean Now President at NIU

John G. Peters, who was dean of the College of Arts & Sciences from 1988-1993, assumed the presidency of Northern Illinois University on June 1. He had been chief operating officer and provost of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the job for which he left UNL.

A political scientist who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois, Peters was a faculty member at UNL and former associate to the chancellor.

Graduate Student Snares Fulbright

Brian A. Coon, a doctoral student in the College of Engineering and Technology, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study at one of the world's leading transportation research centers.

For 10 months beginning in August, Coon will conduct research on roadside safety equipment and test standards at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute in Linkoping, Sweden. His research is expected to foster closer working relationships among international leaders, including NU experts, in roadside safety evaluation.

Roadside safety equipment is designed to reduce the severity of accidents and protect motorists from obstacles near the roadway.

Coon, who has worked as a research assistant at the safety facility since January 1997, finished his master's degree in civil engineering at UNL in December 1999.