April 11, 1997

Knoll Is Doc Elliott Award Winner

Robert Knoll, D.B. and Paula Varner Professor of English emeritus, is the 1997 recipient of the Doc Elliott Award from the NU Alumni Association.

The award is presented annually to a retired faculty member "who has gone beyond traditional expectations and whose caring has made a difference in the lives of students and alumni." It is named for Curtis M. "Doc" Elliott, who was Burt Rodgers Professor of Economics and Insurance at NU at the time of his death in 1964.

During a 40-year career with the university, Knoll taught students to enjoy the richness and beauty of the English language. Knoll specialized in the works of Shakespeare, but he also taught courses in English Renaissance literature, English history, American and English literature between the wars and composition. In addition, Knoll served as Student Council adviser, Academic Senate secretary, chairman of the Willa Cather Centennial Festival Committee and representative on the Chancellor's Commission on Liberal and General Education.

Knoll has published more than 30 essays, books and reviews as well as contributed to 12 television features. After retiring in 1990, he wrote Prairie University: A History of the University of Nebraska. He has been honored as a Fulbright lecturer, distinguished teacher, fellow at the National Humanities Institute, Alumni Achievement Award winner, Nebraska Professor of the Year, Rotary's Nebraskan of the Year and "most cited teacher" by an alumni survey, among others.

Knoll earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska and his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Minnesota. He is a founding trustee of the Shakespeare Association of America.

Knoll received the Doc Elliott Award at the university's honors convocation.

Alumni Honor Teaching, Research Assistants

Four doctoral students received graduate assistant awards from the NU Alumni Association today during the university's Honors Convocation.

Sumedha Gulati, a research assistant in biochemistry, and Barbara Kess, who is research assistant in computer science and engineering, will receive the 1997 Graduate Research Assistant Awards. Recipients of the 1997 Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards are Michael Melton, teaching assistant in finance, and Robert Patterson, teaching assistant in communication studies.

The Graduate Research Assistant Award honors outstanding research and creative activity, provides encouragement and incentive for research or performance excellence, and emphasizes the importance of creative work to the well-being of Nebraska. Recipients of the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award are chosen for demonstrated excellence and lasting impact in classroom performance, attitude and personality, progress toward a degree, enthusiasm and commitment.

Michalecki to Head International Association

Ruth Michalecki, director of Telecommunications Services at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, was elected first vice chairman of the International Communications Association at a recent meeting of the group. She will become chairman of the association, the oldest and largest telecommunications professional association in the world, next year. Michalecki is the second woman elected to the position by the organization during its 50 years of existence.

Keller to Chair Education Psychology

Teachers College Dean Jim O'Hanlon has announced that Harold Keller, staff development and parent resource specialist in the Norfolk, Va., Public Schools, has been named chair of the UNL education psychology department. Before going to Norfolk, Keller was professor and director of the school psychology program at Syracuse University from 1975-90. Keller, who will succeed David Moshman in July, earned his doctoral degree at Florida State University.

'Oregon Trail' Among Top 10 Specials

In Search of the Oregon Trail, the epic documentary produced by the Nebraska ETV Network and Oregon Public Broadcasting for broadcast on PBS, was recognized recently as one of the top 10 most-watched PBS specials or limited series of the 1995-96 season. It shares that distinction with such high profile public television offerings as National Geographic's Heart of Africa, Hoop Dreams and the Rock and Roll series.

In Search of the Oregon Trail producer/director Michael Farrell notes that the show was the only history program to place in the top 10, ahead of some very illustrious and well-funded programs. He is especially pleased because, as he says, "Placing in the top 10 means that more people saw this Nebraska ETV-produced program than hundreds of other specials aired by PBS during the last season."

The recognition comes in addition to honors in a number of venues since the program's premiere in April 1996. The production will also be honored in an April 24 ceremony with a Gracie Allen Award from the 22nd Annual American Women in Radio and Television awards competition.

Johnsgard Pens 34th Book, Chronicles Cedar Point Birds

One of the university's most prolific authors, ornithologist Paul Johnsgard, recently published his 34th book and a paper detailing the abundance of bird species found in the area at the university's Cedar Point Biological Station.

The book, Ruddy Ducks and Other Stifftails: Their Behavior and Biology, co-written with Monserrat Carbonell, was recently published by the University of Oklahoma Press in Norman.

The paper, "Birds of Cedar Point Biological Station Area, Keith and Garden Counties, Nebraska: Seasonal Occurrence and Breed Data," written with four other ornithologists, details the 305 species found in the Cedar Point area near Ogallala. The details in the paper are for experts, but even the most casual bird watcher should be intrigued by the 305 bird species identified - the largest local list in Nebraska and the third largest in the United States.

Johnsgard said the area, along with Cheyenne Bottoms near Great Bend, Kan., is the only Great Plains site north of south gulf coast of Texas to have more than 300 total species and more than 100 breeding species. He noted that the Texas coast and Cheyenne Bottoms experience significant tourism because of the bird life.

Baugher Receives NAFCS Leader Award

Shirley Baugher, department chair and professor of Family and Consumer Sciences, was recently named the 1997 Leader of the Year at the annual meeting of the Nebraska Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in March.

The purpose of the NAFCS Leader Award is to honor family and consumer sciences professionals who have made a significant contribution to the profession and the association.

Baugher has been an active member of NAFCS/AAFCS for 21 years, and has held many state and national positions. Her teaching and research in recent years have focused on family diversity, and she is now working on a research project that examines the functioning of interracial and cross-ethnic marriages, as well as conducting an analysis of a community response to cultural conflict. Her previous publications have addressed the issues of leadership and mentoring in the profession.

Montgomery Receives New Achievers Award

Bette Montgomery, assistant professor in teacher education and professional development, was recently awarded the New Achievers Award at the annual meeting of Nebraska Association of Family & Consumer Sciences in March.

The New Achiever Award from NAFCS identifies and honors emerging family and consumer scientists who have the potential for achieving significant accomplishments in their profession. Nominees must be outstanding professionals who show success in program development or implementation.

Montgomery came to Nebraska in January, 1995, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a background in curricular development.

New Employees - March 1997

Kate Brooks, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Melissa Bucklin, TV
Brendan Bussman, Athletics
Scott Bykerk, Facilities Management
Courtney Carter, Athletics
Melissa Copper, TV
John Durbin, Facilities Management
Lu Anne Dwyer, Center for Rural Revitalization
Mae Ellis, East Union
Theodore Genoways, DCS-Marketing
Robin Heyen, Scholarships & Financial Aid
Anna Hughes, NE Career Information Systems
Mercedes Langan, Chemistry
Deanna Lienemann, SEREC
Joe McMullen, TV
Bobby Moore, Housing
Don Muttersbaugh, Transportation Services
Kristine Peterson, TV
Lee Schafer, Facilities Management
Elizabeth Struble, Housing
Sarah Tsukagoshi, Arts & Sciences Advising Center
Stephen Waltman, Unions
Juliann White, UHC
James Wies, SEREC
Jeremy Williams, Facilities Management
Mary Williamsen, TV

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