College of Education and Health Professions Announces 2002 Outstanding Faculty Awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The UA College of Education and Health Professions honored four faculty members with awards for outstanding teaching, research, service and advising.

The Outstanding Teacher Award was presented to Cecelia Thompson, professor in the department of vocational and adult education. Lori Turner, assistant professor of health science, received the Outstanding Researcher Award. Ro DiBrezzo, professor of kinesiology, was honored for Outstanding Service. The Outstanding Advisor Award went to Jack C. Kern, clinical associate professor in kinesiology.

"In many ways, the success of the college rests on the efforts of our faculty. These individuals have been selected by their peers as model professionals," said Reed Greenwood, dean of the college. "We are proud of their talents and dedication."

Cecelia Thompson was elected by her department’s faculty for nomination as Outstanding Teacher. In her letter of support, Sheri Deaton, an undergraduate, echoed other student comments in touting Thompson’s high standards and individual attention to her students.

"Dr. Thompson has high expectations for every student who walks through her door. She makes sure everyone’s voice is heard," Deaton wrote.

Thompson was also cited for her melding of teaching and research on learning. During the past year, she was an author of four articles in scholarly journals and made three regional or national presentations relating to improving teaching.

Lori Turner, who was named Outstanding Researcher, received her award for her research in the effects of yard work on osteoporosis prevention in older women. Not only has her research been accepted for scholarly publication, but it has also been published in the popular press in all fifty states, Canada and Great Britain.

In her nomination of Turner, Sharon Hunt, head of the department of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance, stated, "Dr. Turner’s research record since arriving at the University of Arkansas in 1997 is nothing short of remarkable. Most importantly, it has been accomplished without sacrificing quality in the areas of teaching and service."

Turner’s colleagues in the department of health science, kinesiology, recreation and dance have awarded her departmental honors for teaching in 1998-1999 and research in 1999-2000 and 2001-2002.

Ro DiBrezzo, professor of kinesiology, received the Outstanding Service Award. In addition to serving on key, active committees in the college and university, DiBrezzo is co-director of the Office for Studies on Aging and helped develop the "Elder Life College Series" for the Schmieding Center in Springdale. In supporting DiBrezzo’s nomination, fellow faculty members consistently cited her collegiality and willingness to mentor new faculty. She is deemed a professional role model for students in her melding of teaching, research and service.

Citing DiBrezzo’s passionate commitment to service, Hunt said that "one would be hard pressed to identify a faculty member who has contributed more to the advancement of women’s health issue in Northwest Arkansas than Dr. DiBrezzo."

DiBrezzo is also recognized as an excellent teacher and researcher. She received the university’s Baum Faculty Teaching Award in 1999, the college’s Outstanding Teaching Award in 1985 and 1998, and the college’s Outstanding Research Award in 1990.

Outstanding Advisor Jack Kern, associate clinical professor in kinesiology, serves as advisor to kinesiology graduate students throughout their Master of Arts in Teaching internship year. Since the inception of the MAT degree, Kern has worked with 65 young educators with a 100% rate of placement in professional positions for those who pursed employment. Students consistently tout Kern as an excellent role model who is dedicated to his students.

During the past two years, Kern has insured that he could continue to give up-to-date advice to students on state licensure issues by attending numerous training workshops in Pathwise, the state’s mentoring model, and in the Praxis III assessment examinations.

The college also announced awards made to faculty by departments of the college. LaVonne Kirkpatrick received the Outstanding Teaching Award from the department of curriculum and instruction. Educational leadership, counseling and foundations honored Roland Smith for teaching, Sean Mulvenon for research and for service, and George Denny for advising. Health sciences, kinesiology, recreation and dance recognized Inza Fort for teaching, Lori Turner for research, Ro DiBrezzo for service, and Jack Kern for advising. Outstanding faculty awards in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing went to Marianne Neighbors for teaching, Nan Smith-Blair for research, Leigh Ann Breckenridge for service and Joyce McConaughy for advising. In the department of vocational and adult education, award winners were Cecelia Thompson for teaching, Buddy Lyle for service, and Dale Thompson for advising.