Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
[no dialogue].
Good afternoon.
Would the four recipients from the College of Sciences,
actually the three recipients who are here and Dr. Klarup,
please join Dr. Godson Obia, the associate dean.
Could you clap for him.
[audience applause].
Thank you.
These four recipients of the CATS Excellence in the Use of
Technology Award for the College of Sciences share
some common traits.
They have embraced new technologies and the application
of those technologies.
They have been responsible for the proliferation of technology
applications in their respective departments.
And because of their interest and energy they have created
technology environments which enhance the academic, research,
and service missions of their departments.
They have created electronic environments which increased
the student interest, enhanced the student participation,
and improved the student academic services.
Like their colleagues, who are also recipients here today,
they are dedicated to the advancement of technology
and the mission of EIU.
The first recipient is Dr. Peter Andrews from the Department
of Mathematics and Computer Science.
Dr. Andrews has invested a sustained effort to promote
wise and prudent technology use in the Department of
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Through his efforts the academic software and resourses including
Maple, Geometry SketchPad, C++ Standard Template Library, have
been incorporated into the curriculum.
Successful grants from NSF, HECA, and ATAC have equipped
laboratories, upgraded curriculum, and provided
outreach to in-service teachers.
He was instrumental in obtaining the department's first
Linux server, which is a key component in the
Math and Computer Science degree program.
And I have learned in the last three years that it's not easy
to find consistent support for computer technologies that are,
let's say, underrepresented in the university.
Dr. Andrews is a vigilant advocate for those technologies.
Thank you, Dr. Andrews.
[audience applause].
The next recipient is Dr. Steven Roper, from the
Department of Political Science.
Dr. Roper developed and offered the first online course in
political science, PLS 2253G, which is distinguished by its
high-quality and web-based materials.
Through Dr. Roper's ATAC grant initiatives, PLS has acquired
three additional classroom computer projection systems.
Dr. Roper invested countless hours designing and redesigning
the departmental web pages.
A tour of the pages provides a comprehensive look at the
Department of Political Science with up-to-date information
about courses, programs of study, minors, interdisciplinary
studies, useful links of political interest like the
White House, and a photo gallery that displays the serious work
of students and faculty and also the fellowship and social events
sponsored by the department.
Thank you, Dr. Roper.
[audience applause].
Dr. Dan Sheeran could not be with us today because he just
finished teaching a class and he's preparing an exam for his
next class, so he asked Dr. Doug Klarup to stand in his place and
accept this award for him today.
Dr. Sheeran has worked diligently to find the best
technology to enhance the academic program in chemistry.
He developed a wireless laptop-based network for the
general chemistry teaching labs which enables the incorporation
of real-time computer-based data collection and analysis into the
general chemistry experiments.
An added benefit of the wireless network is that it
enables access to web-based activities and resources
designed for the chemistry laboratory.
Due to his work, chemistry students are better prepared
to meet the challenges of the work place and/or the
post-baccalaureate education opportunities.
And we thank Dr. Dan Sheeran.
[audience applause].
The next recipient is Dr. Rebecca Throneburg from the
Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences.
Dr. Throneburg is an advocate for a curriculum in which
technology is inclusive.
I know about Dr. Throneburg's work from a more personal view
because I had the privilege of serving as the department chair
in CDS a few years ago.
You know, Becky is one of those folks who makes you a little
nervous when she walks into your office because more than likely
she's got a plan, and it's probably a good plan.
And she's probably going to be--well no, she really is going
to be unrelenting until she sees that plan implemented.
She has tutored and mentored and assisted the CDS faculty
as they incorporated PowerPoint and computer-enhanced
teaching into every course.
During the last year, Dr. Throneburg developed
an online alumni survey.
She also designed the original departmental web page
and continues to serve as the department's
computer resource person.
I know that she has spent many countless hours, and she never
says no when people knock on her door and ask for her assistance.
Thank you, Rebecca.
[audience applause].
[no dialogue].
(Dr. Michael Hoadley). Thank you; let's have the
faculty awardees please stand up one more time
and recognize them.
[audience applause].
I think it's a great tribute to all of you and your programs
and your colleges for your efforts in moving forward
the academic mission of Eastern.
In summary, I have just a few more comments.
There are many other individuals and groups not present today
who are also deserving of accolades, but not everybody
can be recognized at once.
I hope this luncheon will be the first in a series of events and
ceremonies which will continue to acknowledge similar efforts
in the future, and I hope all of you will be part of that
as we move forward.
I also want to recognize a very talented and very dedicated
staff that I work with.
I want to acknowledge the people who work in the Center for
Academic Technology Support.
I was so impressed when I was here interviewing and talking to
the staff and then eventurally getting the job.
What an honor it has been to work with them.
We're going through some changes, but I can guarantee you
the mission is still the same.
We will help everyone with their needs in terms of moving forward
the use of technology in the academic programs.
Today's event is a result of their efforts.
They have been working very hard not only doing this but all the
other things that they do daily in helping faculty and staff
with their projects.
I'm going to name them and then ask them to stand up as a group.
Ira Yarbrough, who has done lots of things in terms of
developing the program.
Mike Babcock, who has been putting together the
presentations and doing photographs and
many other things.
Danny Harvey--if you get a chance to go over to the display
area, you will see a very impressive presentation about
what CATS is doing and the projects they're
working on with faculty.
Pete Grant, in terms of developing our multimedia show,
and working and recording this event today.
John Henderson, who has a joint appointment now between CATS and
ITS and ATAC, very instrumental in getting all these things
organized and working with other projects on campus.
Our four graduate assistants--Jennifer Stoltz,
Tim Hider, Ryan Gibson, Ram Guru--they've been working
around the clock to help us in getting this put together,
whether it's video taping, putting together name tags,
setting up the recording presentation equipment,
those types of things.
Gulnar Mammadova, Emily Davis, and Jerry Rankin--three of our
student workers who have also put in a
tremendous amount of time.
Oh yes, and one other person I need to recognize--
Rhonda Brotherton, one of our newest additions
to the CATS staff.
Rhonda was instrumental in putting together all the
arrangements for this luncheon, helping to work with all the
vendors with John Looby and John Henderson and all the other
things that go on at CATS and working with Panther Dining.
So I want to thank the CATS staff in front of everyone.
I think it's very important what they do and they do enjoy
working with all of you.
[audience applause].
Stand up, stand up.
You get to stand up.
There are two more in the back, three more, four more.
As I've said in many other things that we do at CATS,
it really is a team effort, and they're a tremendous team.
I'm very appreciative of that.
Finally, I just want to express my appreciation for being here
at Eastern, my current position in the office of Academic
Affairs, and having the opportunity to direct the
Center for Academic Technology Support.
This past year has been a very exciting and challenging time
filled with numerous opportunities for professional
growth and development in the field of technology.
I have truly appreciated your collaboration and your support.
I'm also very excited as I look forward and to see what
Eastern Illinois University will be doing with it's
technology agenda as we continue to enhance learning
environments for students as well as the work environment
for the faculty, staff, and administrators.
I look forward to being part of the process that
results in positive change, and that's only going to be
accomplished here through collaboration, cooperation,
communication, and commitment.
And this group exemplifies the fact that we can do these
things together and we have been doing it together and
we will continue to do it together.
Thank you for being a part of today's luncheon
and recognition ceremony.
I hope you will get a chance to still be present
over at the Technology Fair.
Come to the round table discussion.
And there'll be many, many more events this year that we hope
you'll be a part of.
So thank you very much.
[audience applause].