2004-05 Faculty Award Winners

Donald Morgan Faculty Scholar Award

This award is given to recognize faculty scholarly and research based activities in health sciences, nursing and physical therapy. The award was created and endowed by Mr. Don C. Morgan, former CEO of Harris Regional Hospital. The recipient will receive a plaque and $400.

Dr. Judy Mallory Dr. Mallory joined the faculty at WCU in 1998. Students report that "Dr. Mallory shows exceptional interest in her students and in their growth as future nurses". In addition to teaching, Dr. Mallory remains active as a palliative care nurse and has written and published professional articles, presented at national conferences, served as a peer reviewer, and obtained research grants. She directs junior nursing students in conducting and presenting research projects.

Board of Governor’s Innovative Teaching Award

This faculty award encourages, supports, and recognizes innovative teaching. Components of innovation include advanced, progressive, original, novel, and/or creative teaching methods. 2 award levels are given – 1 tenured faculty and 1 non-tenured faculty. Each Recipient will receive a plaque and $500.

Dr. Mike Hubble Dr. Hubble joined the faculty at WCU 1993. Students report that "Dr. Hubble is an exceptional teacher using state-of-the-art distance learning and on campus Web CT technology". His students comment on his ability to teach EMS technology as applied in the classroom. According to Dr. Hubble "Good teaching, clinical practice, and research are inseparable".

The Non-Tenured Faculty Innovative Teaching Award

Dr. Burton Ogle Dr. Ogle came to WCU in 2002 from East Carolina University to teach in the environmental health program. He utilizes a variety of electronic teaching methods and has developed 7 websites for teaching and program information dissemination including a student resource page and a library resources page. Dr. Ogle also developed and taught 3 distance education graduate courses.

Faculty Scholar Award

The College of Applied Sciences Faculty Scholar Award is presented annually to recognize outstanding scholarly activity as represented by current research, publications, and/or professional presentations. The recipient will receive a plaque and $400 for professional development activities for 2005-2006. The committee selected 2 winners for 2004-2005 (stating that 2 were equally impressive and the committee could not decide between them)

1st recipient: Dr. Aaron Ball Dr. Ball joined the faculty at WCU in 1977. He has a long history of scholarly efforts and for the past year has been serving as the principal investigator of a project funded by the Department of Energy through the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to design and test a new energy saving water heating-dehumidifying appliance. No similar product currently exists and the team’s effort was recognized and praised by President Bush.

2nd recipient: Dr. Sue McPherson Dr. McPherson joined the faculty at WCU in 1992. She has written and published 16 refereed journal articles and text book chapters, 37 refereed abstracts, 17 grant applications, and given numerous national presentations. Her level of scholarship is commendable and serves as an inspiration for both students and faculty members.

CAS Excellence in Teaching Award

This award encourages, supports, and recognizes superior teaching. The recipient will receive a plaque and $400 for professional development activities for 2005-2006. Dr. Burton Ogle Dr. Ogle joined the faculty at WCU in 2002. He believes in his students and continually tells them so. He encourages students to not set limits on what they believe they can achieve. His enthusiasm in and out of the classroom is inspirational and his love for teaching is obvious.

Faculty Service Award

The Faculty Service Award is awarded annually to recognize a faculty member who has provided outstanding service to the university, college, community, and/or profession. Examples include, leadership roles on committees at departmental, college and university levels; contribution of professional expertise to the work of community boards, organizations, and other public/private agencies/facilities; delivery of continuing education programs, and/or combinations of the above activities. The recipient will receive a plaque and $400 for professional development activities for 2005-2006

Dr. Bradford Sims Dr. Sims joined the faculty at WCU in 2002 from Purdue University. He has participated in numerous departmental, college, university and industry related committees. He has also served as a contributing editor to the The Project Manager Journal, and conducted many continuing education courses for the construction industry. His work with Habitat for Humanity is especially impressive and commendable. His activities have involved and affected faculty, students, construction industry employees, and the community.

Faculty Student Engagement Award

This Award is presented annually recognizes a faculty member who has gone beyond his or her responsibilities to engage and encourage undergraduate and graduate students in learning, scholarly activities, and/or professional development (examples include: conferences, field trips, independent study activities, international/national travel, service learning activities, and work with student clubs/organizations). Although teaching excellence, scholarly activity, and service are important roles of faculty members, these areas will not be considered for this award. The recipient will receive a plaque and $400 for professional development activities for 2005-2006.

Dr. Irene Mueller Dr. Mueller joined the WCU faculty in 2001 from Montana State University. As a faculty member in the health information administration program, Dr. Mueller develops, supports, and encourages numerous student engagement activities outside the classroom to help students learn and relate to the health information administration profession, to every day life, and to the importance and rewards of community service and engagement. Students report that Dr. Mueller puts all her time and effort into helping them prepare not only for their profession, but also for life.