May. 4, 2007 Communique

2007

CAMPUS AWARDS
CEREMONY

May 1, 2007

Retiring Faculty and Staff     
2006-2007

Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Ellen Biebesheimer
Jewell Chambers
Cindy Roach

College of Business
Robert Knapp

College of Education
Beverly Snyder

College of Engineering and Applied Science
Gerald Oleszek
Robert Rappold

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Gerald Broce
Louis Cicotello
Kathleen Ellis
Carole Flint
David Martinson

Admission and Records
Jack McCartt

College of Business
Kathy Abeyta

     In Memoriam     

Eldon Stevens
Emeritus Professor, Philosophy

 Elizabeth “Lizzie” Teichler
Former Assistant Professor
Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Mike Herbison
Emeritus Librarian

Andrew Czaplewski

In his eighth year at UCCS, Dr. Czaplewski, associate professor of international business, has consistently earned among the highest student rating scores in the College of Business. Students consistently report that what they learn in his courses is applicable in the real world and helps them excel in their career fields. Dr. Czaplewski also has been a catalyst for improved teaching in the College of Business, recruiting and mentoring adjunct faculty and sharing his innovative teaching ideas with fellow faculty members.
“When considering overall teaching excellence, a key indicator of greatness is the ability to recognize demand for a program, develop it, and be able to perform expertly in its delivery,” said Professor Thomas Gruen, chair of the Marketing, Strategy and International Business department. “Few professors do all three of these well, but Dr. Czaplewski delivers expertly.”
Over the past three years, Dr. Czaplewski has totally revamped, upgraded and professionalized undergraduate courses in advertising and promotions. Students who have studied under him state he is an engaging, talented and inspiring teacher who incorporates different teaching tools in his courses to reach all kinds of learners. “There’s not another teacher on the UCCS campus that is able to capture and maintain students’ attention like Dr. C,” said UCCS gradate Michael Gerali. “He embodies what it means to be outstanding.”
Dr. Czaplewski is the only faculty member dedicated to the International Business major, yet still willingly takes on additional responsibilities within the department. He’s developed a full array of International Business and International Marketing courses since his arrival on campus, both at the undergraduate and master’s levels, and under his guidance, the International Business major has become one of the large majors in the College.
For his leadership, dedication and striking ability to influence and motivate students, Dr. Andrew Czaplewski has been selected as the 2007 UCCS Outstanding Teacher Award.

     Retiring Faculty and Staff     
2006-2007

University Center
Gayla Gallegos

Kraemer Family Library
Jackie Konselman

Personnel Office
Vickie Hilty

Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Office
Diane Alberico

Bursar Office
Mary Jo Kraus

Financial Aid
Barney Yetter

Family Development Center
Frances Burke

Disabilities Services
Kay Simonton

NISSSC
Arnold Wehofer

Mathematics Department
Joan Stephens

Facilities Services
Glen Weisser
     In Recognition     

University of Colorado Staff Council
Service Excellence Award

Suzanne Salario

President’s Diversity Award
Diversity Unit Award

College of Education

 Fred Coolidge

UCCS Psychology professor Fred Coolidge decided he wanted to be a scientist in 5th grade. That desire has held true throughout his education and professional career. Immediately after his arrival at UCCS in 1979, Dr. Coolidge began to conduct research and mentor students in the process – a system he still adheres to today.

Professor Coolidge has supervised 159 individual undergraduate independent study projects and 19 graduate projects. He has chaired 35 Master of Arts theses, most in the Psychology department, and he has co-authored more than 80 articles with 46 different students.

“It’s not just his outstanding and continuing research productivity – he heavily involves his students in all phases of his research,” said Edie Greene, Psychology professor. “He clearly values his role as a research mentor and he has made an indelible mark on these students.” 

Currently, Dr. Coolidge’s research focuses on three particular areas: cognitive archaeology, behavior genetics, and the lifespan evaluation of personality. He has worked with numerous fellow UCCS professors and has authored eight psychological tests, wrote or co-wrote three books and received eleven grants totaling more than $161,000. He’s received three Fulbright Fellowships to India, has served on 16 different University committees, and he serves as chair of the Psychology department. He is also UCCS’ head tennis coach.

A true Renaissance scholar, Dr. Coolidge is widely curious about human behavior and behavior disorders, and his scholarly work draws on a vast array of topics. After more than three decades of research, his work seems to still be gathering steam, with wide-ranging and impressive contributions. Most recently, he has broadened the scope of his efforts to involve extra-departmental colleagues in the department of Anthropology.

For his tireless research efforts, devotion to students and immense contributions to his field and beyond, we are delighted to honor Dr. Fred Coolidge with the 2007 UCCS Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
Rhonda Williams

Dr. Rhonda Williams, assistant professor in the Counseling and Human Services Department in the College of Education, has an impressive community service history, both prior to coming to UCCS and since her arrival.

In her former public school career, Rhonda received the National Middle School Counselor of the Year award for reaching above and beyond the typical contributions of a school counselor. Since coming to the university, she’s been a member of the curriculum design committee, the assessment committee and the diversity committee, as well as coordinating the School Counseling Program. She also serves on the University’s Women’s Studies’ advisory board, the Sexual Harassment Committee and the Trauma Center board.

Outside the University, Rhonda offers consultation to eight school districts for implementing the American School Counseling Association’s National Model of Counseling. She chairs the ASCA’s ethics committee and is post-secondary vice president of the Colorado School Counselor Association, through which she implemented a summer institute that provided training to more than 160 school counselors.

If those commitments were not enough, Rhonda also serves on the advisory board for counselors in the Harrison School District, served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for two years and provides valuable leadership for the local Smart Girl Project.

“Rhonda’s passion for improving the lives of girls is evident in her commitment to this organization and no matter how busy she is, she is always responsive and involved,” said Dr. Abby Ferber, sociology and women’s studies professor and Vice President for Smart Girl.

Those who have known her as a professor and mentor state Rhonda is a tireless advocate for many causes, who speaks out continuously on behalf of women, children, and the underserved of all backgrounds. For her advocacy in the community as well as her valuable contributions as a professor, we are proud to honor Dr. Rhonda Williams with the 2007 UCCS Community Service Award.

      College of Engineering     
     and Applied Science Awards     

Outstanding Teacher Award
Julie Albertson

Outstanding Researcher Award
Steven Tragesser

Outstanding Instructor/Lecturer Award
Chris Felton

Outstanding Staff Award
Patricia “Trish” Rae

Computer Science
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Nadine Sundquist
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Suzette Stoutenburg

Electrical and Computer Engineering
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Halyna Vasylkiv
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Fernando Pinto
Outstanding Ph.D. Student Award
Gregory Pauls

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Admir Makas
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Chris Porter

Special Recognition, Ph.D. Student
Contribution to Research and Innovation Award
Darwin Enicks
      Beth-El College of Nursing     
     and Health Sciences Awards     

Outstanding Faculty Award
Mary Enzman Hagedorn

Outstanding Instructor Award
Kimberly Schenck

Health Care Science
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Heather Poe

Nursing
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Connie Hetzel

Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Jennifer Heery

      Graduate School of     
     Public Affairs Awards     

 Criminal Justice
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
David Swaby

Public Administration
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Perry Marshall

Sheri Trumpfheller

Instructor Sheri Trumpfheller has the unique ability to teach courses many students consider daunting – like accounting principles – in a manner that is interesting to students and that also prepares them well for advanced coursework.

A UCCS alumna, Sheri graduated with her MBA with an accounting emphasis in 2000. Shortly after graduating, she returned to campus to teach in the accounting and finance department. Now, it is not unusual for her to teach five different courses in an academic year.

Sheri’s colleagues praise her dedication to the profession and to students and describe her as a valued instructor and a team player with a positive attitude. Student feedback in her courses is consistently at or near the top of all ratings in the College of Business, and she received the Instructor of the Year award for the College for the 2004-05 academic year. In addition to all her teaching duties, Sheri also serves as the accounting lecturer liaison, identifying accounting professionals to hire as honorarium instructors and working to maintain the quality and rigor of all accounting principles courses they teach.

“It is as if she was born to teach, and she does it with skill, aplomb, cheerfulness, personality, compassion, intense preparation and total professionalism,” said accounting professor Paul Miller, who taught Sheri as a student.

Accounting students who have studied under Sheri say she is a dedicated professor who is deeply committed to students and successful at helping them understand challenging topics. She offers extended office hours and her undivided attention, listening and explaining with patience. “Professor Trumpfheller has truly changed the direction of my life, and I know she has had a positive impact on many other students,” said accounting major Lyndsey Cunningham.

In recognition of her dedication to students and valuable contributions to UCCS, we are pleased to name Sheri Trumpfheller as the 2007 Instructor of the Year. 

Gwen Gennaro

Through her role as Director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, Gwen Gennaro is deeply committed to the success of the University. She has become a major resource for research-oriented faculty members to learn about funding opportunities and grant proposals, and she expertly guides faculty through the maze of grant processes while offering invaluable advice.
But those immense tasks only scratch the surface of the duties she has taken on. Her true commitment to UCCS also is evident in her initiative on additional projects for the betterment of the campus and the CU System as a whole.
Gwen has led the CU System in putting training modules in place for faculty and staff, often which are mandated by the university, state or the federal government. Because of her efforts, UCCS now has training policies related to Conflict of Interest, Personal Effort Reporting training and Grant Administration training components.

She also has been instrumental in developing an Office of Sponsored Programs database, necessary for managing and promoting sponsored programs, which shows all proposals the entire campus has submitted.

“Without Gwen in the Office of Sponsored Programs, the campus research initiative would grind to a quick and unpleasant halt,” said Professor Tom Huber, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. “It may be the highest complement one can give a staff member, that with them, things are looking very good and the future is bright, indeed.”

Faculty members who have worked with Gwen on research funding projects praise her knowledge, professionalism and warm and friendly attitude. Lisa LaForge, Sponsored Programs administrator, states that Gwen has been an approachable, patient and deeply-committed role model who approaches all tasks with integrity and thoughtfulness.

In recognition of Gwen Gennaro’s commitment to the University and tireless dedication to the Office of Sponsored Programs, we are pleased to present her with the Outstanding Staff Award for 2007.
      College of Business     
     Awards     

Outstanding Faculty Award
Eric Olson

Outstanding Teaching Award
Jeffery Ferguson

Outstanding DMBA Teaching Award
Andrew Czaplewski

Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award
Gordon Stringer

Intellectual Contributions Award
Alan Davis
Thomas Gruen

Outstanding Service Award
Monique French
Kirkland Wilcox

Special Mission Award
Karen Sangermano

Outstanding Staff Award
Sandra Loux
Mary Soltani

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Cindy Gang
Hannah Glenn Polok

Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Lindi L. Hannigan

      College of Education     
     Awards     

Outstanding Teacher Award
Elaine Cheesman

Outstanding Researcher Award
Christi Kasa-Hendrickson

Outstanding Instructor Award
Laura Marshall

Outstanding Service Award
Randall De Pry

Outstanding Staff Award
Sharie Thompson

Counseling and Human Services
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Michelle Godown

Curriculum and Instruction
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Candice Brandon

Leadership, Research, and Foundations
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Julie Browning

Special Education
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Diana Pitcher

Mary Osborne

Mary Osborne has been a tireless worker and generous donor to UCCS for years, through long-term commitments to Theaterworks, the Heller Center property and other arts activities. Most recently, she has served as Chair of the CU Aging Center’s Community Development Committee.
In this role, Mary worked to build a donor base for the Aging Center. With enthusiasm, she created multiple strategies for building community visibility, including leading the first annual funding campaign for the Aging Center and initiating a series of conversation hours hosted in committee members’ homes, meant to introduce services available to the community through the Aging Center. Last fall, she encouraged committee members to personalize letters requesting support for the organization, which generated more than $10,000 in gifts.
Mary also led the Community Development Committee in supporting the new Aging in Society lecture series, through which community members can be educated about aging-related topics of relevance to their work and lives. More than 250 people attended the first lecture, held in November 2006.
“What is perhaps most notable about her community roles is that she shares her knowledge, connections and passions to improve the quality of life in our community,” said Dr. Sarah Honn Qualls, CU Aging Center director.
In addition to all her efforts with the Aging Center and other UCCS ventures, Mary also has lent a generous hand to the Child Development Center, giving students the opportunity to complete their degrees knowing that necessary child care would be provided. She has provided funding to purchase necessary research equipment in the biology department and, along with her husband, Ed, has offered numerous student scholarships.
A gifted leader, Mary epitomizes the true spirit of what it means to create community and believes passionately that a single person can, and should, make a difference. We are proud to honor Mary Osborne with the 2007 Alumni and Friends Award.

Emily Cowhick

Senior Emily Cowhick’s enthusiasm for UCCS is apparent in the many ways she has dedicated herself to serving undergraduate students and becoming involved with many aspects of campus life.
            Emily has become a valuable member of the Office of Student Retention and First-Year Experience and also has worked as a junior teaching assistant for freshmen seminar classes and a resident assistant. She has been praised by both supervisors and peers, noted as someone who goes above and beyond to relate and be accessible to students she mentors.
            “I have been astounded by her commitment to students, her creative ideas and her ability to carry out the activities,” said Dr. Barbara Gaddis, director of student retention. In her role as a student mentor, Emily’s positive attitude, friendliness and expertise as a student help her provide at-risk students with friendship and support. She is also introduced a number of new campus events geared toward freshmen, including service-learning parties, ice cream socials, the dedication of the Student Community Center and weekly coffee and conversation gatherings.
            Emily also serves as a senior resident assistant in UCCS residence halls. After one year of working as a resident assistant, she was promoted to a leadership role as a senior resident assistant and also became Vice President for Administration and Recognition for the UCCS chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary, an organization for outstanding residential student leaders. “This organization would not be as successful today as it is, without Emily’s help,” said Michele Richey, assistant director of residence life. “She has far exceeded my expectations.”
            Following her graduation from UCCS, Emily will pursue her master’s degree in special education and earn her secondary social studies license at the University of Colorado at Denver. In recognition of her dedication to UCCS and its undergraduate students, Emily Cowhick has been selected to receive the 2007 Student Achievement Award.

      College of Letters, Arts and Sciences     
     Awards     

Outstanding Teaching Awards
Outstanding Tenure-Track Faculty
Paul Harvey

Outstanding Full-Time Instructor
Michael Larkin

Outstanding Part-Time Instructor
Barbara Headle

Outstanding Research and Creative Work Award
Dorothea Olkowski

Humanities
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Cassie Firebaugh

Natural Sciences
Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Jenna Aasen

      Kraemer Family Library     
     Award     

Outstanding Service Award
Cindy Allen

Amber Disney

Senior Amber Disney has been a familiar face in and around UCCS residence halls since she began working as a resident assistant three years ago. Now a senior resident assistant, she has served countless students who call our residence halls home. In addition to dedicating a large portion of her time to her RA duties, Amber also has worked as a student assistant for the Office of University Relations for more than a year, providing invaluable support to Director Tom Hutton.

            Amber’s ability to manage both positions, along with maintaining an exemplary academic record and participating in numerous extra-curricular activities, speaks to her maturity, drive and desire to grow and reach success. As an RA, she must be committed, level-headed and responsible at all times, as she is often called on to deal with conflicts and offer mentorship. Michele Richey, assistant director of housing and residence life, calls Amber a role model for her residents and fellow staff members. “Amber puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and it clearly shows in the caliber of what she is able to achieve,” Richey said.

            Amber’s contributions to the Office of University Relations have required her to take initiative on a number of high-priority projects, including using her media skills on important video projects and developing an expert faculty index. Director Tom Hutton praised her dedication and professionalism, stating, “she is highly creative….and exceptionally poised and has demonstrated grace in difficult situations. This is a unique skill set.”

Amber is looking forward to a successful future following graduation, as she has earned a position in Target’s management training program. She will also fit in a wedding and honeymoon prior to beginning her new position. In recognition of her strong leadership skills, professionalism and dedication to UCCS, Amber Disney has been selected as the Student Employee of the Year for 2007.

Patrick Hannaway

Patrick Hannaway embodies the concept of a ‘student-athlete.’ A Biology major, he has maintained an outstanding 3.92 cumulative GPA and became only the second University of Colorado at Colorado Springs student to be recognized as a first-team Academic All-American. Hannaway was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Academic Player of the Year and has also received Academic All-RMAC   and All-North central region honors.
            On the court, Hannaway proved to be perhaps the best basketball player to ever suit up for the Mountain Lions. He was named All-RMAC East Division for 2006-07 and received All-West honors the previous season.
He broke the UCCS single season scoring record as a junior with 542 points, and then broke it again as a senior by scoring 560 points. He also owns the school single-season records for field goals and free throws made. He scored 30 or more points five times, the most by any player at UCCS. Despite playing just two seasons at UCCS, he climbed all the way to fifth on the career scoring list.
            Hannaway led the RMAC in scoring as a senior with 21.5 points per game and also led the conference in field goal accuracy at 63.6 percent.
            A Colorado Springs resident, Hannaway has been active in the community as well. He has been a participant in conducting reading programs at his former school, Rudy Elementary, and has served as a volunteer basketball camp coach for rural kids in Elbert County. On campus, he has participated in the annual Halloween Boo-zar and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during his junior year.
We are pleased to honor Patrick Hannaway with the 2007 Thomas F. McLaughlin Award.

     Award Presentations     

Student Government Association Student’s Choice Award for Educator of the Year

David Anderson

Faculty Assembly Service Award

Tom Zwirlein

      MAJOR CAMPUS AWARDS     

THOMAS F. McLAUGHLIN AWARDS
Lindsay Shandera
Patrick Hannaway

STUDENT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Amber Disney

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Emily Cowhick

ALUMNI AND FRIENDS AWARD
Mary Osborne

OUTSTANDING STAFF AWARD
Gwen Gennaro

OUTSTANDING INSTRUCTOR AWARD
Sheri Trumpfheller

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Rhonda Williams

FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Fred Coolidge

OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
Andrew Czaplewski

Lindsay Shandera

An Accounting major, Lindsay Shandera has maintained a 3.610 cumulative GPA entering the final semester of her senior year. She has been a three-time Academic All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honoree and is a strong candidate for academic All-American this year.
The undisputed leader of the UCCS softball team, she was named a team captain for the 2007 season. She earned that respect through her conduct both on and off the field.
            On the field, Shandera has been one of the most productive players to ever play at UCCS. After hitting .338 as a freshman, she has increased her batting average each season and, with two weeks remaining in her senior season, is hitting .443. She is currently second in the RMAC with a batting average of .443, 57 RBIs, and an on base percentage of .531. Most remarkably, in 165 plate appearances this season, she has struck out only twice.
            That’s the kind of production to which the Mountain Lions have become accustomed. Shandera is the school career record holder in RBIs (173) and walks (112) and is second in the school record books in home runs (29) and runs scored (141). She has a career batting average of .381.
            Lindsay has also made an impact aside from the classroom and the playing field. She has participated in the Halloween BOO-zar and the Edison Elementary School Field Day and has also assisted Coach Tanya Ramsay in giving hitting lessons. In addition, she has served as the primary host for softball campus recruiting visits, organized most of the team dinners and compiled the music for game-day operations.
For her true dedication to her team and to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs campus, we are pleased to honor Lindsay Shandera with the 2007 Thomas F. McLaughlin Award.